Montana Field Guide

The following taken from Brooks (1958), Vickery and Kevan (1985), Pfadt (2002), Capinera et.al. (2004), Capinera and Sechrist (1982), Brust et al. (2008, 2010), and Scott (2010). A medium to large size grasshopper with the body color ranging from dark grayish brown, reddish-brown, to yellowish-brown. A dark stripe occurs across the top of the head extending across the pronotum to the posterior margin. The wings (tegmina) are long, extending to the abdomen tip or 6 mm beyond. The wings are often speckled with small spots. The outer face of the femur is yellowish with a dark stripe along the upper edge. The hind tibia is blue or red (mostly blue in Montana).

Overwinters in the egg stage. Eggs hatch from May to early June. Nymphs occur from June through August. Adults are active from mid-July through September. (Vickery and Kevan 1985, Pfadt 2002, Capinera et al. 2004, Capinera and Sechrist 1982, Brus, et al. 2008 and 2010, and Scott 2010).

The following comes from Brooks (1958), Vickery and Kevan (1985), Pfadt (2002), Capinera et al. (2004), Capinera and Sechrist (1982), Brust et al. (2008 and 2010), and Scott (2010). Adult body length to end of forewings for males is 22 to 33 mm, and females 26 to 37 mm. Visual diagnostic characteristics are the length of the dorsal stripe on the pronotum and the color of the hind tibia. However, only by examining the aedeagus can identification be certain between the other species in the “M. packardii group.”

M. packardii is often confused with Striped Sand Grasshopper (M. foedus) and M. fluviatillis which is now a recognized separate species. These 3 species are in what is termed as the “Melanoplus packardii group.” Their status as species have been questioned many times regarding their status as subspecies or a full species. Essentially, these 3 species are truly “look-a-likes” in that the male genitalia are nearly identical. M. packardii tends to be slightly smaller and darker in color than Striped Sand Grasshopper (M. foedus) (Brust et al. 2008 and 2010), Capinera and Sechrist 1982). Refer to the Pictorial Key to the “Melanoplus packardii Group" above for identification assistance.

Over its large geographical range, it does not generally occupy the same habitats as Striped Sand Grasshopper (M. foedus). The Packard's Grasshopper is a prairie species, inhabiting short-grass, tall-grass, mixed-grass habitats, especially where light, sandy, gravelly or drift soils occur. It also inhabits agricultural crop areas, making it a significant pest species. It occurs in mountain meadows up to 9000 feet (Vickery and Kevan 1985, Pfadt 2002, Capinera et al. 2004, Capinera and Sechrist 1982, and Schell et al. 2005).

The Packard's Grasshopper is a polyphagous species, feeding on both grasses and forbs, with a preference for legumes. Some studies recorded this species feeding on seven grasses and 26 forbs in short grass and mixed grass prairies. Some of its favored host species include alfalfa (Medicago sativa), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), lead plant (Amorpha canescens), white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), Artemisia species, sunflower and scurf-pea (Psoralidium sp.). It is also known to feed on winter wheat, barley, and fall rye (Pfadt 2002, Capinera et al. 2004, Capinera and Sechrist 1982, and Vickery and Kevan 1985).

c. After hatching, the nymphs pass through 5 instars before reaching the adult stage. Females prefer bare ground for oviposition. The egg pod contains 17 to 29 eggs arranged in 2 or 3 columns. Some field observations indicate that males begin courting about 20 days after adult emergence, and female oviposition about 36 days after adult emergence. The average longevity of a Packard's Grasshopper has been estimated to be 50 days (Pfadt 2002, and Capinera and Sechrist 1982).

The following is taken from Pfadt (2002), Capinera et al. (2004), Capinera and Sechrist (1982), and Schell et al. (2005). The Packard's Grasshopper has adapted well to human modified habitats, such as cropland edges, roadsides, fencerows, and abandoned farmlands. It is prone to population outbreaks in certain areas and can comprise 50 percent of local grasshopper species’ diversity. On rangelands it is not considered a major pest problem, but in croplands, it can cause serious damage to cereal grains and legumes.