Clouded Grasshopper
Encoptolophus sordidus
Identification 6
Usually has an X-shaped pattern on the pronotum. Relatively short wings and large head compared to most other band-wing grasshoppers. Otte (1984) also pointed out the fine black markings on the rear edge of the pronotum, which are typically not present in the closely related E. costalis. Hind tibiae are dark but may have some dark blue color on the outer side.
Encoptopholus costalis is a closely related species that was at one time considered to be a subspecies of E. sordidus. Sources such as Kirk and Bomar (2005) and Capinera et al. (2004) state that E. costalis has blue hind tibiae while E. sordidus has dark brown hind tibiae. However, some individuals may be intermediate, which is why Hebard (1934) considered E. costalis to be a subspecies of E. sordidus (later authors did not follow Hebard and treated them as separate species - see Otte 1970). Froeschner (1954) also treated E. costalis as a subspecies of E. sordidus and he did not consider hind tibiae color useful in telling them apart. He stated that E. s. sordidus occasionally had glaucous (blue) hind tibie and that E. s. costalis usually had glaucous hind tibiae. All of the E. sordidus I have found in central Iowa (5 observations) have some dark blue on the tibiae, especially the outside surface (see these, for example: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90119606, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91341550). However, if you look at typical examples of E. costalis in iNaturalist, the hind tibiae are very bright blue on all sides of the tibiae. I think in most cases, E. costalis will be easy to distinguish from E. sordidus because of its usually bright blue hind tibiae and the limited dark blue in E. sordidus. The dark markings on the rear edge of the pronotum in E. sordidus is also a helpful character. If the identification is still in question, there are a few more diagnostic characteristics in Otte (1984) and Vickery and Kevan (1985), mostly based on fastigium shape and pronotum texture.
See the E. costalis species account for records of that species in Iowa (there are not many).
Resources 6
Orthoptera Species File: http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1104324
Kirk, K. and Bomar, C.R., 2005. Guide to the Grasshoppers of Wisconsin. Bureau of Integrated Science Services, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Caminera, J.L., R.D. Scott, and T.J. Walker. 2004. Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets of the United States. Cornell University Press.
Vickery, V.R. and Kevan, D.K., 1985. The grasshoppers, crickets, and related insects of Canada and adjacent regions. Ulonata: Dermaptera, Cheleutoptera, Notoptera, Dictuoptera, Grylloptera, and Orthoptera. Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 14. Agriculture Canada. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/aac-aafc/agrhist/A42-42-1985-14-eng.pdf
Otte, D., 1970. A comparative study of communicative behavior in grasshoppers. Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 141.
Otte, D., 1984. The North American Grasshoppers, Vol. II. Acrididae. Oedipodinae. Harvard University Press.
Occurrence 6
Statewide. This species occurs in the Midwest and New England.
Habitat 6
A variety of habitats from woodland edges to prairie. Seems to require less open ground than other Band-winged Grasshoppers. In fall of 2021 I found this species at many locations in central Iowa, more than I documented in iNaturalist, often on grassy two-track trails.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher
- (c) lizlovesnature, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by lizlovesnature
- (c) Zoology123, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zoology123
- (c) isaacchen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by isaacchen
- (c) kcozzens, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
