Redlegged Grasshoppers

They feed on leaves, reducing plant biomass and yield.

The “Generalist” Glutton: Redlegged Grasshoppers

The Redlegged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is one of the most widespread and “noxious” orthopteran pests in the United States. From the Atlantic Coast to the Arizona deserts, this “O” pest is a frequent summer visitor to vegetable gardens, alfalfa fields, and urban landscapes. Unlike specialized feeders, the Redlegged Grasshopper is a true generalist with a massive appetite; they are notorious for “moving in” from drying weeds into lush green gardens during the Tucson summer heat, where they can defoliate an entire row of beans or peppers in a single afternoon.

Identification: The “Red-Shank” Jumper

Identifying Redlegged Grasshoppers requires a close look at their hind legs and facial markings. For Pestipedia.com users, the color of the “tibia” is the definitive diagnostic key:

Appearance: A medium-sized grasshopper (20mm to 30mm). The body is typically brownish-olive on top and a vibrant sulfur-yellow underneath.
The “Red Leg”: The lower part of the hind leg (the tibia) is bright, distinct red (occasionally light blue in some Western U.S. variations), usually armed with black spines.
The “Herringbone” Thigh: The upper hind leg (femur) features a bold black herringbone or chevron pattern against a yellowish background.
The Face: They have a “clean” face compared to other species, usually lacking the dark vertical “teardrop” line under the eye found in the Differential Grasshopper.
Activity: They are powerful fliers and highly active during the hottest part of the Arizona day, often congregating on the sunny side of plants.

The “Ragged Edge” and “Defoliation” Damage

The “noxious” impact of the Redlegged Grasshopper is physical destruction. They have “mandibulate” mouthparts designed for shearing through tough plant fibers:

Ragged Defoliation: They consume the leaf from the outer edge inward, leaving behind large, irregularly shaped holes and “scalloped” leaf margins. Unlike caterpillars, they rarely leave silk or frass behind.
Seedling “Cutting”: In early spring, a single adult can “clip” the stem of a young seedling at the soil line, killing the plant instantly.
Fruit Scarring: If leaves are scarce, they will chew on the skin of Tomatoes, Peppers, and Melons, creating deep, calloused scars that make the fruit unmarketable and prone to rot.

U.S. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

In the United States, managing Redlegged Grasshoppers is a game of Buffer Zones and Biological Baits. Once they reach adulthood and begin flying, they are very difficult to stop.

Nolo Bait (Biological Control): For Pestipedia.com users, the “gold standard” organic control in the U.S. is Nosema locustae (Nolo Bait). This is a naturally occurring microsporidian parasite that infects grasshoppers. When they eat the bait, they become lethargic and die, often spreading the infection to others through cannibalism.
The “Trap Crop” Buffer: In the Southwest, maintain a 10-foot “buffer strip” of tall, unmowed grass around your garden. The grasshoppers will often stay in this taller cover rather than moving into your vegetables. If they do move in, you can treat just the buffer strip with an insecticide.
Mechanical Barriers: For high-value plants in Tucson, use Metal Window Screening or heavy-duty bird netting. Note: Grasshoppers can easily chew through standard plastic “bug netting” or cheesecloth.
Poultry “Patrol”: In many U.S. rural areas, Guineafowl and Chickens are the most effective grasshopper management tool. A small flock can clear thousands of grasshoppers from a yard in a few weeks, providing “active” biological control.

Management includes monitoring, biological control, and insecticide application.

Redlegged grasshoppers (Melanoplus femurrubrum) are common agricultural pests that feed on a wide variety of crops and grasses. They are highly mobile and capable of causing widespread damage during outbreak years.