Table 1 Overview of studies on environmental versus genetic determination of the green–brown color polymorphism in grasshoppers of the subfamily Gomphocerinae (Orthoptera, Acrididae).

Syrbula admirabilis

346 field-caught individuals raised under manipulated dryness of food and humidity

Increased proportion of brown individuals when raised on dry grass or at low humidity

Not tested

Otte and Williams (1972)

Chorthippus biguttulus

218 field-caught individuals raised under manipulated substrate, temperature, and humidity

Green not affected by substrate color, temperature, or humidity (while darkness was affected)

Not tested

Helfert (1978)

Chorthippus brunneus

789 offspring from 41 experimental crosses in standard cages

Not tested

93% green in green–green matings, 61% green in mixed matings, 0% green in brown–brown matings, suggesting an autosomal locus with a dominant green allele

Gill (1981)

Gomphocerus sibiricus

(1) 78 individuals of mixed ancestry in manipulated environments, (2) 404 offspring from 89 experimental crosses in standard cages

(1) Lack of response to manipulated substrate color and radiation intensity (temperature)

(2) 83% green in green–green matings, 55% green in mixed matings, 3% green in brown–brown matings suggesting a major autosomal locus with dominant green allele

(1) Valverde and Schielzeth (2015), (2) Schielzeth and Dieker (2020)

Pseudochorthippus parallelus

(1) 1850 offspring from 96 experimental crosses, (2) 549 offspring from 7 mating combinations in standard cages (multiple pairs pooled)

Not tested

(1) 100% green in green–green matings, 47% green in mixed matings, 26% green in brown–brown matings suggesting a major autosomal locus with dominant brown allele, (2) 90% green in green–green matings, 78% green in mixed matings, 18% green in brown–brown matings suggesting heritable, but more complex inheritance

(1) Sansome and La Cour (1935), (2) Köhler (2006)