Observation: We observed a very large insect at Dry Bay, near Yakutat, Alaska. Dry bay is down the coast and has interesting “stuff” that come down the Tatshensini/Alsek river from Canada.We would like to know what it is and whether it is harmful to the environment.
LEO says: This is some kind of grasshopper, and a fairly large one. One good reference for grasshopper identification is Grasshopper Identification and Control Methods, published by Agriculture Canada. Another is Insect Identification.org which actually has an Alaska insect section. This online guide lists several grasshoppers and locust that are know to occur in Alaska - link.
UAF Cooperative Extension Service Consult: This observation was forwarded for assistance with identification. "As for an ID, it is probably in the genus Melanoplus. Unfortunately we have so little baseline information for some areas of Alaska that it is difficult to know whether this is native to the area or new to the area. Derek Sikes, Curator of Insects and Associate Professor of Entomology with the University of Alaska Museum provided information on this consultation and will include this observation in the museum database for future reference." Jessie Moan
Observations From Members