Orthoptera of Berrien County, Michigan, and Vicinity

The insect order Orthoptera includes the crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids and allies. The species in this order are commonly referred to as "singing insects" because of their loud, distinctive, and often repetitive vocalizations.

The primary source for this list was Theodore H. Hubbell’s (1922) The Dermaptera and Orthoptera of Berrien County, Michigan, supplemented by Roger G. Bland’s (2003) The Orthoptera of Michigan and Thomas J. Walker and Thomas E. Moore’s (2004) Singing insects of North America. The Orthoptera Species File Online was used to sort out synonyms.

According to Bland (2003), more than 25,000 species of Orthoptera are known worldwide, an estimated 1,210 species have been documented in North America north of Mexico, and 137 species are known in Michigan.

The 98 species known or likely to occur in Berrien County (85 documented from Berrien County, plus an additional 13 from neighboring Cass and/or Van Buren counties) represent 44 genera, 18 subfamilies, 8 families, and 2 suborders. Another 10 species (shown in square brackets below) may possibly occur in Berrien County or vicinity based on presumed ranges depicted by Walker and Moore (2003).

In the following list, scientific and common names follow Bland (2003), with alternative common names (if any) in curly brackets. One or more of the following symbols appear after the species name, where * = specimen(s) reported from Berrien County by Hubbell (1922); # = specimen(s) documented from Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren counties by Bland (2003); + = the known or presumed range of the species, as depicted by Walker and Moore (2003), includes Berrien County; and ^ = a species reported from Michigan by O’Brien (2004).

Counties with documented specimen records are shown in square brackets, where B = Berrien, C = Cass, and V = Van Buren.

For each species collected in Berrien County by Hubbell (1922), the number of specimens/collecting localities is shown in parentheses.

The one non-native Introduced species is indicated as such.

SUBORDER CAELIFERA (grasshoppers)

Family Acrididae (short-horned grasshoppers):
Subfamily Acridinae (slant-faced grasshoppers):

Metaleptea (=Tryxalis) brevicornis, SHORT-HORNED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (53/3)

Stethophyma lineatum (=Arcyptera lineata), STRIPED SEDGE GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (21/2)
Subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae (bird grasshoppers):

Schistocerca alutacea, LEATHER-COLORED BIRD GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C] (43/4)

Schistocerca americana (=serialis), AMERICAN BIRD GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (2/2)

Schistocerca emarginata, PRAIRIE BIRD GRASSHOPPER#^ [B,C,V]
Subfamily Gomphocerinae (slant-faced grasshoppers):

Ageneotettix deorum, SAND GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (1/1)

Chloealtis conspersa, SPRINKLED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (86/4)

Chorthippus curtipennis, MARSH MEADOW GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (63/6)

Dichromorpha viridis, SHORT-WINGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (16/1)

Orphulella pelidna, SPOTTED-WINGED GRASSHOPPER#^ [B,V] {SC}

Orphulella speciosa, PASTURE GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (27/3)

Pseudopomala brachyptera, BUNCHGRASS GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C] (10/1)

Syrbula admirabilis, HANDSOME GRASSHOPPER#^ [B,C]
Subfamily Melanoplinae (spur-throated grasshoppers):

Melanoplus angustipennis, NARROW-WINGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (72/4)

Melanoplus bivittatus, TWO-STRIPED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (105/4)

Melanoplus borealis, NORTHERN GRASSHOPPER#^ [C]

Melanoplus confusus, LITTLE GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (82/1)

Melanoplus differentialis, DIFFERENTIAL GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (25/6)

Melanoplus fasciatus, HUCKLEBERRY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (10/1)

Melanoplus femurrubrum, RED-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (63/5)

Melanoplus flavidus, BLUE-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (3/1) {SC}

Melanoplus gracilis, GRACEFUL GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (32/4)

Melanoplus keeleri, BROAD-NECKED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (56/3)

Melanoplus punctulatus, GRISEOUS GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C] (4/2)

Melanoplus sanguinipes (=mexicanus), MIGRATORY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (296/5)

Melanoplus scudderi, SCUDDER'S SHORT-WINGED GRASSHOPPER#^ [C]

Melanoplus viridipes, GREEN-LEGGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [V] (58/3)

Melanoplus walshii, WALSH'S GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (4/2)

Paroxya hoosieri (=clavuliger), HOOSIER GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (102/3) {SC}
Subfamily Oedipodinae (band-winged grasshoppers):

Arphia pseudonietana, RED-WINGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (12/2)

Arphia sulphurea, SPRING YELLOW-WINGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (48/3)

Arphia xanthoptera, AUTUMN YELLOW-WINGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (34/2)

Camnula pellucida, CLEAR-WINGED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (58/2)

Chortophaga viridifasciata, GREEN-STRIPED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (19/3)

Dissosteira carolina, CAROLINA GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (38/4)

Encoptolophus sordidus, DUSKY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (19/3)

Pardalophora haldemanii, HALDEMAN'S GRASSHOPPER#^ [B,V]

Psinidia fenestralis, LONG-HORNED GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (30/2) {SC}

Spharagemon bolli, BOLL'S GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (42/3)

Spharagemon collare, MOTTLED SAND GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (82/7)

Spharagemon marmorata, NORTHERN MARBLED GRASSHOPPER#^ [B]

Trimerotropis maritima, SEASIDE GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (56/3)

Family Tetrigidae (pygmy grasshoppers):
Subfamily Batrachideinae:

Tettigidea armata, SPINED PYGMY LOCUST*#^ [B] (25/3)

Tettigidea lateralis, SEDGE PYGMY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (24/3)
Subfamily Tetriginae:

Nomotettix cristatus, NORTHERN CRESTED PYGMY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (2/1)

Paratettix cucullatus, HOODED PYGMY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (85/4)

Tetrix arenosa (=Acrydium arenosum), OBSCURE PYGMY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (48/2)

Tetrix ornate (=Acrydium ornatum and hancocki), ORNATE PYGMY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,C,V] (14/1)

Tetrix subulata (=Acrydium granulatum), SLENDER PYGMY GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B,V] (9/2)

Family Tridactylidae (pygmy mole grasshoppers):
Subfamily Tridactylinae (pygmy mole grasshoppers):

Ellipes minutus (=minuta), MINUTE PYGMY MOLE GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (35/1)

Neotrydactylus (=Tridactylus) apicalis, LARGER PYGMY MOLE GRASSHOPPER*#^ [B] (9/2)

SUBORDER ENSIFERA (crickets, katydids, and bush katydids)

Family Gryllidae (true crickets):
Subfamily Gryllinae (field crickets and house crickets):
[Acheta domesticus, House Cricket+^ (Introduced)]

Gryllus pennsylvanicus (=assimilis), FALL FIELD CRICKET*#+^ [B,C] (102/5)

Gryllus veletus, SPRING FIELD CRICKET#+^ [B,C,V]
Subfamily Nemobiinae (ground crickets):

Allonemobius allardi, ALLARD'S GROUND CRICKET#+^ [B,C,V]

Allonemobius (=Nemobius) fasciatus, STRIPED GROUND CRICKET*#+^ [B,C,V] (76/4)

Allonemobius griseus, GRAY GROUND CRICKET#+^ [C]

Allonemobius maculatus, SPOTTED GROUND CRICKET#+^ [C]
[Allonemobius tinnulus, Tinkling Ground Cricket+^]

Eunemobius (=Nemobius) carolinus, CAROLINE GROUND CRICKET*#+^ [B] (10/3)
[Eunemobius confusus, Confused Ground Cricket+]

Eunemobius melodius, MELODIOUS GROUND CRICKET#+^ [B]

Neonemobius (=Nemobius) palustris, MARSH GROUND CRICKET*#+^ [B,C] (4/1)
[Neonemobius variegatus, Variegated Ground Cricket+]
Subfamily Trigonidiinae (sword-bearing crickets):

Anaxipha exiqua, SAY'S BUSH CRICKET#+^ [B,C]

Family Gryllotalpidae (mole crickets):
Subfamily Gryllotalpinae (mole crickets):

Neocurtilla (=Gryllotalpa) hexadactyla, NORTHERN MOLE CRICKET*#+^ [B,C] (12/2)

Family Oecanthidae:
Subfamily Oecanthinae (tree crickets):

Neoxabea bipunctata, TWO-SPOTTED TREE CRICKET#+^ [C]
[Oecanthus exclamationis, Davis's Tree Cricket+^]
[Oecanthus forbesi, Forbes’s Tree Cricket+]

Oecanthus fultoni, SNOWY TREE CRICKET#+^ [B]
[Oecanthus latipennis, Broad-winged Tree Cricket+]

Oecanthus nigricornis, BLACK-HORNED TREE CRICKET*#+^ [B,C] (30/4)

Oecanthus niveus, NARROW-WINGED TREE CRICKET*#+^ [C] (1/1)

Oecanthus pini, PINE TREE CRICKET#+^ [B] {SC}

Oecanthus quadripunctatus, FOUR-SPOTTED TREE CRICKET*#+^ [B,C] (27/4)

Family Rhaphidophoridae (cave and camel crickets):

Ceuthophilus divergens, DIVERGENT CAMEL CRICKET#^ [B]

Ceuthophilus guttulosus (=nigricans), THOMAS'S CAMEL CRICKET*#^ [B] (5/2)

Ceuthophilus latens, BLACK-SIDED CAMEL CRICKET*#^ [B] (58/2)

Family Tettigoniidae (katydids):
Subfamily Conocephalinae (meadow katydids):

Conocephalus attenuatus, LONG-TAILED MEADOW KATYDID#+^ [C]

Conocephalus brevipennis, SHORT-WINGED MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (46/4)

Conocephalus fasciatus, SLENDER MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (32/5)

Conocephalus nemoralis, WOODLAND MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B,V] (11/1)

Conocephalus nigropleurum (=nigropleurus), BLACK-SIDED MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B,C] (22/3)
[Conocephalus saltans, Prairie Meadow Katydid+^]

Conocephalus strictus, STRAIGHT-LANCED MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B] (31/3)

Orchelimum campestris, DUSKY-FACED MEADOW KATYDID#+^ [B,C,V]
[Orchelimum concinnum, Stripe-faced Meadow Katydid*+^ (6/2) {SC}]

Orchelimum delicatum, DELICATE MEADOW KATYDID#+^ [C] {SC}

Orchelimum gladiator, GLADIATOR MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B] (20/6)

Orchelimum nigripes, BLACK-LEGGED MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (15/2)

Orchelimum volantum, NIMBLE MEADOW KATYDID#+^ [B]

Orchelimum vulgare, COMMON MEADOW KATYDID*#+^ [B,V] (60/5)
Subfamily Copiphorinae (conehead katydids):

Neoconocephalus ensiger, SWORD-BEARING CONEHEAD KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (14/2)
[Neoconocephalus lyristes, Slender Conehead Katydid+^ {SC}]

Neoconocephalus nebrascensis, NEBRASKA CONEHEAD KATYDID*#+^ [B] (4/1)

Neoconocephalus retusus, ROUND-TIPPED CONEHEAD KATYDID#^ [C] {SC}

Neoconocephalus robustus, ROBUST CONEHEAD KATYDID*#+^ [B,C] (3/2)
Subfamily Phaneropterinae (bush katydids and others):

Amblycorypha oblongifolia, OBLONG-WINGED KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (26/2)

Amblycorypha rotundifolia, ROUND-WINGED KATYDID#+^ [C]

Microcentrum rhombifolium, ANGLE-WINGED KATYDID#+^ [C]

Scudderia curvicauda, CURVE-TAILED BUSH KATYDID*#+^ [B,C] (9/2)

Scudderia fasciata, HEMLOCK BUSH KATYDID#+^ [B] {SC}

Scudderia furcata, FORK-TAILED BUSH KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (31/4)

Scudderia pistillata, BROAD-TAILED BUSH KATYDID*#+^ [B,C,V] (13/5)

Scudderia septentrionalis, NORTHERN BUSH KATYDID#+^ [B,C]

Scudderia texensis, TEXAS BUSH KATYDID*#+^ [B,C] (15/3)
Subfamily Pseudophyllinae (true katydids):

Pterophylla camellifolia, NORTHERN TRUE KATYDID*#+^ [B,C]
Subfamily Tettigoniinae (shield-backed katydids):

Atlanticus testaceus, SHORT-LEGGED SHIELD-BACKED KATYDID*#+^ [B,C] (6/2)

Sources:

Alexander, Richard D., Ann E. Pace, and Daniel Otte. 1972. The singing insects of Michigan. Great Lakes Entomologist 5: 33-69.

Bland, Roger G. 2003. The Orthoptera of Michigan—biology, keys, and descriptions of grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2815, 220 pp.

Hubbell, Theodore H. 1922. The Dermaptera and Orthoptera of Berrien County, Michigan.

O'Brien, Mark. 2004. Checklist of Michigan orthopteroids.

Otte, Daniel, David C. Eades, Maria Marta Cigliano, and Holger Braun. 2010. Orthoptera Species File Online (Version 2.0/4.0).

Walker, Thomas J., and Thomas E. Moore. 2004. Singing insects of North America.