Two-striped Grasshopper Identification Guide
Spot this large field grasshopper by the pair of pale stripes running down its back from the eyes to the wingtips.
Read the full Two-striped Grasshopper encyclopedia entry →
Key Visual Features
The two-striped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) is a large field grasshopper, with adults typically 1 to 2 inches long and females noticeably larger than males.
- Color: Yellowish-green to olive-brown body overall.
- Diagnostic markings: A pair of pale cream or yellow stripes that begin just behind the eyes and run parallel down the top of the body, continuing along the length of the folded wings — the feature that gives this species its name.
- Body shape: Robust and thick-bodied, with a rounded head and moderately short, thickened antennae.
- Legs: Strong hind legs for jumping, often with a yellowish or olive tone without the bold chevron pattern seen in some related species.
- Wings: Long wings extending to or past the tip of the abdomen, enabling capable flight.
Where and When You'll See It
Two-striped grasshoppers are common across grasslands, hay fields, pastures, roadsides, and crop margins throughout much of North America. They are most abundant and easiest to identify from mid-summer through fall, when adults with fully developed stripes and wings are active, often seen basking or feeding on low vegetation during the day.
Similar-Looking Species
- Differential grasshopper: Similar size and habitat, but identified by a bold black herringbone pattern on yellow hind legs rather than a pair of back stripes.
- Red-legged grasshopper: Smaller, with reddish tibiae on the hind legs and no paired dorsal stripes.
- American grasshopper: Has only a single central stripe down the back (not a pair) and speckled wings, plus a more shrub-associated habitat preference.
Quick ID Checklist
- Yellowish-green to olive body
- Two parallel pale stripes running from behind the eyes to the wingtips
- Large, robust body, roughly 1-2 inches
- Long wings reaching past the abdomen tip
- Common in grasslands, hay fields, and roadsides, mid-summer through fall across North America
Frequently asked questions
What is the defining feature of the two-striped grasshopper?
Look for a pair of pale cream or yellow stripes running from just behind the eyes down the back and along the wings — this paired-stripe pattern is unique among common look-alike species.
How big is a two-striped grasshopper?
Adults typically range from about 1 to 2 inches long, with females generally larger than males.
How is it different from the differential grasshopper?
The differential grasshopper lacks the paired back stripes and instead shows a bold black chevron pattern on its yellow hind legs, a feature the two-striped grasshopper does not have.
Where do two-striped grasshoppers live?
They're common in grasslands, hay fields, pastures, and roadsides across much of North America, most visible from mid-summer through fall.
Two-striped Grasshopper identified by the community
Recent Two-striped Grasshopper finds identified with Bug Identifier.
