Migratory Grasshopper

Melanoplus sanguinipes

General Status Rank: 
Secure
Common Name: 
Migratory Grasshopper
Scientific Name: 
Melanoplus sanguinipes
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Grasshopper
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Insecta
Order: 
Orthoptera
Family: 
Acrididae
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

It is the most important pest grasshopper of western Canada, capable of reaching pest proportions within a season when conditions are favourable. In sometimes causes severe damage to crops but this is limited to 20 m from the field edge. The extinct Rocky Mountain Locust (Melanoplus spretus) that plagued the Red River Settlement in Manitoba from 1818 to 1821, is closely related and was once suspected of being a migratory phase of this species.
References: 
R202
Habitat
Around habitations and also in remote areas in the lush vegetation around sinkholes south of Great Bear Lake. Immature individuals eat mostly forbs but adults feed mainly on grasses (Catling 2008).
References: 
R202
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield
References: 
R202

Distribution

Moderately common. Reference: Catling, P.M. 2008. Grasshoppers and related insects (Ulonata) of the Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT. 77 pp.
Score: 
G
References: 
R202
H293

Number of Occurrences

14 recorded occurrences in the NWT (Catling 2008).
Score: 
BE
References: 
R202
H293
Threats

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Widespread - expect more sites.
S Rank: 
S3S5
Decision Process Description: 
Draft rank by non-expert (S. Carriere) based on Catling (2008) only (2010). Reviewed by D. Johnson and C. Wiebe in 2014; no change. Reviewed by J. Miskelly in 2017; no change. Reviewed by J. Miskelly in 2023; no change.
Last Updated: 
July 9, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
-

References

Economic Status

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return

Ecozones

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return

Habitat

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return
  • Hebert, Remi (2014) A set of 2 emailes between Suzanna Carriere and Remi Hebert. GS grasshoppers - SG sauterelles & GS grasshoppers NT. e copy - H293 Return

Range Extent

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return
  • Hebert, Remi (2014) A set of 2 emailes between Suzanna Carriere and Remi Hebert. GS grasshoppers - SG sauterelles & GS grasshoppers NT. e copy - H293 Return