# Two-striped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) > A common North American grassland grasshopper with two pale stripes running down its back; a generalist herbivore that can damage crops in large numbers. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/two-striped-grasshopper/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Not venomous and not harmful to people. They do not bite in a way that causes injury; a defensive nip is rare and only causes minor pinching if it occurs. **Pets:** Not toxic to pets. Grasshoppers may be eaten by pets but are not a health threat, although large numbers can bother poultry or livestock by reducing forage availability. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Melanoplus bivittatus - Order: Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, crickets and katydids) - Family: Acrididae (Short-horned grasshoppers) - Size: Males about 23-30 mm; females about 30-55 mm body length (varies with region and nutrition) - Colours: Yellow, Brown, Black, Green - Habitat: Grasslands, pastures, roadsides, weedy fields, and agricultural crops across plains and open areas - Range: Widespread across most of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico; less common in the southeastern United States - Active: Active in spring through autumn; most conspicuous in warm months and during daylight - Lifespan: Adults live for several weeks to a few months; single annual generation in most of its range - Effect on plants: Herbivore / Occasional pest - Pest: yes ## Overview Melanoplus bivittatus is a medium-sized short-horned grasshopper widespread across much of North America. It lives in grasses and weedy fields and is common in disturbed areas and agricultural land. Nymphs resemble adults but lack fully developed wings; eggs are laid in soil and typically overwinter before hatching in spring. When abundant, two-striped grasshoppers can defoliate grasses and crops and are considered an occasional agricultural pest. ## How to identify it Adults are typically olive-green to brown with two pale yellowish stripes running from behind the eyes along the top of the thorax and converging onto the folded wings, which gives the species its common name. The body can show variable mottling; wings are usually well developed in adults. Hind legs are strong for jumping; antennae are short (typical of Acrididae). Females are larger than males and have a pointed ovipositor. - 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. ## Lookalikes - **Differential grasshopper** (Melanoplus differentialis): Generally larger and more uniformly olive-yellow without the paired pale dorsal stripes; the hind femur has black chevron markings and the hind tibia is often yellow. - **Red-legged grasshopper** (Melanoplus femurrubrum): Smaller and usually has red hind tibiae; lacks the two pale dorsal stripes of M. bivittatus. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Eggs are laid in pods in soil or plant debris in late summer and usually overwinter in the soil before hatching the next spring. - **Nymph:** Wingless nymphs hatch in spring and go through several molts, resembling smaller adults; progressively develop wing pads. - **Adult:** Adults appear in summer to autumn, are capable of flight and mate; females deposit eggs in soil to complete the cycle. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Primarily grasses and forbs; generalist herbivore - Adults eat: Grasses and a wide range of herbaceous plants, including some crops - Predators of the young: Birds, predatory insects (mantids, assassin bugs), spiders, small mammals - Predators of adults: Birds, small mammals, predatory insects, and parasitoids/diseases that affect grasshoppers ## Effect on plants and gardens Feeds on a wide range of grasses and broadleaf plants; can damage cereal crops, alfalfa and pasture when populations are high. ### How to get rid of it Reduce populations by encouraging natural predators (birds, predatory insects, spiders), maintain healthy pasture management and crop rotation, use targeted insecticides when economic thresholds are exceeded, and destroy egg beds by tillage where practical. For small garden infestations, hand-picking or barriers can help. Always follow local guidelines for pesticide use. ## Where and when to find it Look on grasses and low vegetation in fields, pastures and roadsides; nymphs are common on low plants and adults on taller grasses and crop foliage. - Best time: Late spring through early autumn during daylight, especially warm sunny days. - Tips: Walk slowly through grassy habitat to spot movement; photograph from ground level to show the dorsal stripes and body shape for identification. ## Fun facts - The 'two-striped' name refers to the two pale stripes along the top of the thorax and wings. - Like many short-horned grasshoppers, M. bivittatus can go from common to outbreak levels and cause noticeable crop damage under favorable conditions. - Nymphs hop and feed in groups at times, which can make them easier to spot in grassy areas. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are two-striped grasshoppers dangerous? No. They are not venomous and do not pose a threat to people or pets, though they can damage plants when present in large numbers. ### Do two-striped grasshoppers bite? Bites are very rare and not medically significant; any contact usually results in a hop or jump away rather than an attempt to bite. ### Why are they in my yard? They feed on grasses and herbaceous plants, so yards, pastures and fields provide food and egg-laying sites. Nearby weedy or grassy areas increase local numbers. ### How do I get rid of them? Encourage predators, reduce weedy habitat, manage pastures and crop rotations, remove egg beds by tillage, use physical removal for small infestations, and apply insecticides only when populations exceed economic thresholds following label instructions. ### Where do they live? They inhabit open grassy habitats across most of North America, including prairies, pastures, roadsides and crop fields. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/129305), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoplus_bivittatus). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.