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.