Schistocerca ceratiola

Hubbell & Walker, 1928

rosemary grasshopper

Schistocerca ceratiola, the rosemary , is a poorly known to Florida. First described in 1928, it is rarely encountered except by researchers specifically seeking it. The species is a shrub-inhabiting grasshopper with a specific ecological association with Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides). Its limited distribution and cryptic habits have contributed to its obscurity in the scientific literature.

Schistocerca ceratiola by Engine0800. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Schistocerca ceratiola: //skɪstəˈsɜrkə sɛrəˈtiːoʊlə//

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Images

Habitat

Florida scrub , specifically associated with Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) shrubs; inhabits shrub layer rather than ground vegetation

Distribution

to Florida, United States; restricted to Florida scrub

Host Associations

Ceratiola ericoides - Florida rosemary; specific shrub association inferred from epithet and , supported by ecological literature on Florida scrub grasshoppers

Behavior

Shrub-inhabiting; rarely seen except by those specifically seeking it out; poorly known due to cryptic habits and limited survey effort

Similar Taxa

Schistocerca obscuraBoth are large Schistocerca in eastern North America, but S. obscura is widespread and migratory while S. ceratiola is to Florida scrub and non-migratory
Schistocerca alutaceaAnother North American bird grasshopper with overlapping size range; S. ceratiola distinguished by Florida scrub specificity and association with Ceratiola ericoides

More Details

Taxonomic history

Described by Hubbell and Walker in 1928, the remains one of the least known members of the Schistocerca. The specific epithet 'ceratiola' directly references its plant association with Ceratiola ericoides.