A Manual of the Grasshoppers of New Mexico
Melanoplus thomasi (Scudder)
New Mexico Distributions Map
General distribution: SE Arizona, E. into Texas, S. into Mexico.
Distribution in New Mexico: Chaves, De Baca, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Otero.
Habitat: Desert grassland, ditches, etc.; weedy areas.
Host: Forbs, occasionally corn or beans.
Adults Present: September-October.
Notes: Similar to M. bivittatus, but with blue-green overall color and coral-red inner hind femora; hind tibiae and tarsi coral red. Occasionally damaging to crops.
Reference: Helfer 1953.