Opeia

McNeill, 1897

obscure grasshopper

Opeia is a of slant-faced in the , Gomphocerinae, tribe Eritettigini. It was described by McNeill in 1897. The genus contains at least two described : Opeia atascosa (atascosa grasshopper) and Opeia obscura (obscure grasshopper). Opeia obscura is the more widely documented species and has been recorded in grasshopper surveys across western North America.

Opeia by (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Obscure Grasshopper nymph - Opeia obscura, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Opeia: //oʊˈpaɪə//

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Identification

Members of Opeia are classified as slant-faced based on the diagnostic slanted facial profile characteristic of the Gomphocerinae. The is placed in the tribe Eritettigini. Specific identification features distinguishing Opeia from other eritettigine genera such as Eritettix are not documented in the provided sources.

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Distribution

Records indicate presence in Arizona, California, Minnesota, Montana, and central Mexico. The appears to be distributed across western and central North America, with Opeia obscura specifically documented in Wyoming and Colorado surveys.

Similar Taxa

EritettixBoth belong to the tribe Eritettigini within Gomphocerinae and share the slant-faced ; they may be confused in field identification.
MermiriaAnother of slant-faced in Gomphocerinae with which Opeia may be confused; Mermiria such as M. bivittata are common in the same western North .

More Details

Taxonomic placement

Catalogue of Life places Opeia in the tribe Eritettigini within Gomphocerinae, though some sources may use alternative tribal .

Species diversity

Only two are formally described, but the may contain additional undescribed species given its broad geographic range.