Chloealtis dianae
(Gurney, Strohecker & Helfer, 1964)
Diana black-side grasshopper
Chloealtis dianae, the Diana black-side , is a of slant-faced grasshopper in the Acrididae. It is found in North America, with specific records from California. The species was described in 1964 by Gurney, Strohecker, and Helfer. Like other members of the Chloealtis, it belongs to the Gomphocerinae, characterized by slanted facial profiles and association with grassland or open woodland .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Chloealtis dianae: /kloʊˈiːæltɪs diˈɑːneɪ/
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Identification
As a member of the Chloealtis, C. dianae likely exhibits the slant-faced typical of Gomphocerinae, with a profile angled backward from the vertex. Specific diagnostic features distinguishing C. dianae from such as C. abdominalis and C. conspersa are not documented in available sources. The name 'dianae' presumably honors an individual named Diana, following the etymological pattern of patronymic species epithets.
Distribution
Recorded from California; broader distribution described as North America. Specific locality data beyond California is not documented in available sources.
Similar Taxa
- Chloealtis abdominalisCongeneric found in grasslands mixed with ponderosa pines at moderate elevations in Wyoming mountains; differs in specificity and geographic range.
- Chloealtis conspersaCongeneric (sprinkled ) common in forest openings and low brush in the Black Hills and associated mountain ranges; differs in preference for wooded areas and specific association with blue grass.
More Details
Taxonomic History
Described by Gurney, Strohecker, and Helfer in 1964. The specific epithet 'dianae' is a genitive patronym, though the honored individual is not specified in available sources.
Data Limitations
Available sources provide minimal -specific information for C. dianae. Most biological knowledge of the Chloealtis derives from studies of C. abdominalis and C. conspersa in the northern Rocky Mountains. The species is represented by only 7 observations on iNaturalist as of the source date, indicating it is poorly documented or genuinely rare.