Band-winged Grasshopper

Dry grasslands, sandy soils, gravel paths, deserts, and open fields

Herbivorous, feeding primarily on grasses, forbs, and herbaceous plants

Relies heavily on camouflage (crypsis) on gravelly soil to avoid predators; capable of rapid flight when disturbed, often revealing brightly colored hindwings and making crackling sounds (crepitation) in flight

Harmless to humans. Provides a vital food source for birds, reptiles, and mammals in terrestrial food webs; high population blooms can occasionally cause mild localized damage to crops or gardens