About Leptysma marginicollis (Serville, 1838)
Leptysma marginicollis, commonly known as the cattail toothpick grasshopper or slender locust, is a species of grasshopper. This species has a very pointed head and flattened, sword-shaped antennae. Because of these features, it looks superficially similar to grasshoppers in the subfamily Gomphocerinae, but can be easily distinguished by a spur or spine present between its front legs. Its body is usually brownish, with a white, yellow, or brown stripe running from the eye to the base of the front legs. The length of its head is equal to or longer than the length of its prothorax. The upper surface of the body may also be red or pink. Its front wings are sharply pointed, and extend 3 to 5 millimeters beyond the tip of the abdomen. This species is found throughout the United States, Mexico, the neotropics, and the Caribbean. It lives in wet areas, and is most often found on emergent vegetation such as cattails and sedges.
