About Schistocerca americana (Drury, 1773)
Schistocerca americana (Drury, 1773) adult males grow up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long, while adult females can reach 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long. Adult bodies are typically yellow-brown, with pale wings marked by large brown spots. Nymphs of this species have a distinct appearance compared to adults. Their color changes as they mature, and their coloration is a polyphenic trait: one genotype can produce multiple color forms based on environmental conditions, which is a common trait among grasshoppers. For this species, nymph coloration is especially affected by temperature. Nymphs come in various shades of green, yellow, or red, and usually have black marking patterns. They are most often red at lower temperatures, while only green and yellow shades appear at higher temperatures. Temperature also influences the intensity of black patterning: lower temperatures lead to darker black markings. Population density is another common factor influencing color polyphenism in grasshoppers, but it plays a smaller role in this species than it does in many other grasshopper species. Nymphs raised in crowded conditions develop darker black markings, but density has very little effect on their background body colors.
