Exhibits a slender, elongated body measuring between 0.78 and 1.18 inches (20 to 30 millimeters) in length, with females being significantly larger than males. Its overall coloration is highly polymorphic, ranging from olive green to yellowish-brown or grayish, providing optimal camouflage within herbaceous foliage. A distinctive dark longitudinal band runs along the lateral margins of the pronotum, frequently extending behind the compound eyes. The tegmina (forewings) are well-developed, extending beyond the abdominal apex, and are often adorned with faint, dark speckles. The hind tibiae display a characteristic bluish, greenish, or gray coloration, equipped with robust spines adapted for powerful jumping.

Geographical distribution: Is broadly distributed throughout the Southern Cone of South America. It is highly abundant in central and northern Argentina, particularly across the Pampean and Chaco regions. Its geographic range also encompasses almost the entirety of Uruguay, southern Brazil (primarily the state of Rio Grande do Sul), central and southern regions of Chile, and temperate to semi-arid zones within Bolivia and Paraguay.

Habitat: Prefers open, sunny ecosystems such as temperate grasslands, shrubby steppes, and savannas. This insect demonstrates remarkable ecological plasticity, thriving in heavily modified anthropogenic landscapes. It is commonly found in agricultural fields—especially those cultivated with alfalfa, soybeans, and sunflowers—as well as pastures, roadsides, and disturbed areas dominated by ruderal vegetation.

Feeding: Functions as a highly polyphagous, chewing herbivore with a strong preference for dicotyledonous plants, though it also consumes monocots. Its diverse diet consists of plants from the Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae families. Utilizing highly efficient mandibles, this species is capable of causing extensive defoliation, making it a major agricultural pest of economically vital crops like alfalfa and soy.

Behavior: Displays strictly diurnal activity patterns, relying on heliothermic thermoregulation in the early morning to elevate its body temperature and initiate metabolic activity. It is an exceptional jumper due to its enlarged hind femora, a mechanism it combines with short, rapid flights to evade predators. While typically solitary, prolonged dry periods followed by favorable rainfall can trigger dramatic population surges, leading to high-density aggregations that move collectively in search of food.

Reproduction: Is an oviparous species whose life cycle is closely synchronized with seasonal temperature fluctuations and soil moisture. Mating takes place primarily during late summer and autumn. Following copulation, females use their specialized ovipositor valves to deposit eggs 0.78 to 1.57 inches (2 to 4 centimeters) deep into compact, bare soil. The eggs are encased in protective structures known as egg pods, held together by a frothy secretion that hardens upon contact with the air. These eggs undergo winter diapause to endure freezing temperatures, with hatching occurring in mid-spring. The nymphs progress through five to six instar stages before undergoing their final molt into winged adults.

Conservation status: Has not been officially assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Nevertheless, given its extensive geographic distribution, high reproductive capacity, and status as a recurrent agricultural pest throughout South America, its populations are highly stable and secure, requiring active pest management strategies rather than conservation efforts.