Common Name – Carolina Grasshopper

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Acrididae

Dissosteira carolina, the Carolina grasshopper, Carolina locust, black-winged grasshopper, road-duster, or quaker, is a band-winged species.  It is part of a group known as the short-horned grasshoppers found in most of the United States and other parts of North America. 

These grasshoppers can be between 32-58mm (1.25-2.25”). The female is typically larger than males.  Their colors can range from brown to black with contrasting black and yellow/white hind wings.

Carolina locusts are often found on or around roads or paths, where they can easily blend into gravel and soil.

They prefer dry, sunny, open areas for basking, courting displays, and egg laying. 

Their diet consists of local grass and weed species; they are not picky eaters.  Because of this, they are not known to be a major pest, but some outbreaks have caused damage in the early 20th century.