Any jumping, orthopterous insect, of the families
Acrididae and Locustidae. The species and genera are very numerous. 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.