Two-striped grasshopper vs Red-legged grasshopper

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a two-striped grasshopper from a red-legged grasshopper, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Smaller and usually has red hind tibiae; lacks the two pale dorsal stripes of M. bivittatus.

	Two-striped grasshopper	Red-legged grasshopper
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	Males about 23-30 mm; females about 30-55 mm body length (varies with region and nutrition)	About 17-30 mm body length (males smaller, females larger)
Colours	Yellow, Brown, Black, Green	Brown, Tan, Green, Red (hind femur)
Family	Acrididae	Acrididae
Habitat	Grasslands, pastures, roadsides, weedy fields, and agricultural crops across plains and open areas	Grassy open areas: meadows, pastures, grasslands, field margins, roadsides
Range	Widespread across most of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico; less common in the southeastern United States	Widespread in North America: Canada and the United States, especially common in northeastern and central regions but also found in other areas
Active	Active in spring through autumn; most conspicuous in warm months and during daylight	Active in spring as nymphs and as adults in mid to late summer into autumn; diurnal (active during the day)
Pest?	Yes	Yes

Two pale yellowish stripes running from behind the eyes along the top of the thorax onto the wings are characteristic.
Olive-green to brown base color with variable mottling; adults have well-developed wings.
Females noticeably larger and bulkier than males; look for ovipositor at rear of female.
Short antennae (typical of Acrididae) and strong hind legs for jumping.

Look for reddish or pinkish hind femora (thighs) visible when jumping or at close inspection.
Short antennae (typical of Acrididae) and a low median ridge (carina) on the pronotum.
Size about 17-30 mm body length with wings in adults; body color variable (brown, tan or green) with a yellowish underside, and red hind tibiae (lower legs) are characteristic.

Smaller and usually has red hind tibiae; lacks the two pale dorsal stripes of M. bivittatus.

Two-striped grasshopper: Non-toxic. Red-legged grasshopper: Non-toxic. Not venomous and not harmful to people. Not dangerous.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.