This was in a abandoned farm field in SE Massachusetts.
The first one I have no idea what it is.
Is the second GH a Differential Grasshopper? It was "stuck" in the dirt when my daughter pulled it out (gently). Was it laying eggs through that posterior appendage? Any info on that would be appreciated. :)
Thanks!
Both grasshoppers are in the genus Melanoplus; the first one may be M. femur-rubrum, a very common and widespread species (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoplus_femurrubrum). The second one does appear to be a female M. differentialis, and was in the process of oviposition (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_grasshopper).
Excellent! Thank you so much Flapdoodle!
