Grasshopper

Any jumping orthopterous insect of the families Acrididaelig and Locustidaelig having large hind legs adapted for leaping and chewing mouth parts The species and genera are very numerous and some are very destructive to crops The former family includes the Western grasshopper or locust Caloptenus spretus noted for the great extent of its ravages in the region beyond the Mississippi In the Eastern United States the red legged Caloptenus femurrubrum and C atlanis are closely related species but their ravages are less important They are closely related to the migratory locusts of the Old World See Locust