Montana Field Guide

The following is taken from Capinera et. al. (2004) and Vickery and Kevan (1985). A robust, wingless grasshopper. Brownish dorsally, light ochre below. Some individuals have a light-colored stripe on the top of the abdomen. Hind femur greenish with variable intensities of black chevron markings and orange red on the lower surface. The hind tibia is blackish at the base and red distally—or entirely red. Hebard (1928) states “…one of the most distinctive found in Montana.”

Adults have been found from mid-June to mid-September in Montana (Vickery and Kevan 1985).

This is a small species, 18-25 mm long. The prosternal spine is weakly developed. This is a sluggish, slow-moving grasshopper (Capinera et. al. 2004, Vickery and Kevan 1985).

There are two subspecies: B. obesa obesa and B. obesa caurus which occur in Washington state (Vickery and Kevan 1985).

Usually found on mountain slopes at altitude ranges of 4200 to 7800 feet, with rocky slopes and gravelly tops where vegetation is sparse (Vickery and Kevan 1985).

Known to favor various species of Potentilla (Capinera et al. 2004).

Virtually unknown. According to literature searches this species remains a poorly studied grasshopper (Vickery and Kevan 1985).