Skip to main content
Close

Black-sided Pygmy Grasshopper

Tettigidea lateralis

Photo by Musicwolf
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

34.4821, -79.1955

Field Notes

Description:

Eyes prominent. Pronotum rounded, extends over head. Tends to extend to tip of abdomen in southern populations, but is shorter in northern. Variably black, gray, brown, or cream. Often dark-sided with wide creamy band on top. Lower face of female is usually dark, that of male is usually a creamy white. (2) Hind femur often has a light spot. Compare front margin of the pronotum to differentiate from T. armata, similar, and found in moist habitats. In T. lateralis front margin is rather rounded. In T. armata it is spined. (Copied from http://bugguide.net/node/view/9258)

Habitat:

Found in a semi-permanent water puddle near marshland and pine woods forest.

Notes:

The larger of the two (presumably female) was only about 1 cm in length. They seemed like they were more aquatic than most grasshoppers. They sought safety in a puddle and never separated from one another.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)

I was pleased at getting both sexes at the same time too. Thanks again, it looks like I may have to spend MORE time on Bug Guide - lol.
I spotted a Pygmy Grasshopper (different species) in Virginia a few weeks ago. I recognized the body shape. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/247216013 I spend a lot of time on Bug Guide (for better or worse, haha!). So I checked out the pages of the Pygmy Grasshoppers and looked for ones with matching markings and body structure. It's nice you were able to get photos of both the male and female as well as multiple angles! It really helps to have those when trying to ID organisms.
Unbelievable ForestDragon. I think you nailed it! How in the world did you figure this one out?
Check out Tettigidea lateralis, Black-sided Pygmy Grasshopper: http://bugguide.net/node/view/9258

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon