In "Brachypalpus laphriformis" the thorax and scutellum are unstriped and aeneous black. The species has two distinct color phases&colon; striped and unstriped. Of the thirteen unstriped species, seven feed only on broadleaf plants. Although, some unstriped checkered patterns have been observed. They are commonly referred to as unstriped grass mice, unstriped grass rats, and kusu rats. The unstriped ground squirrel is brownish or tawny in color with a lighter colored front. In times of danger unstriped ground squirrel may dive into a foreign burrow for safety.