Pallid-winged Grasshopper

Trimerotropis pallidipennis

Image taken in Maricopa Co., Arizona. 14 Oct. 2006.

The color and pattern of this grasshopper is quite variable and often matches the substrate well. After wet winters they can become very abundant in the Sonoran Desert and because they can fly well they migrate into the cites (eg. Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona) when the desert dries out. Great numbers accumulate beneath lights in parking areas and dealerships. Come morning many fall prey to birds such as grackles and starlings because their camouflage fails when they are sitting on asphalt.

More Information:

• Bugguide.net Univ. of Iowa
• Wikipedia
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Google Images
• Google Scholar Literature Search