Arphia ramona

Distinguished from other Arphia species by the combination of orange hind wings and California distribution. Arphia pseudonietana (red-winged grasshopper) has red rather than orange hind wings and occurs in late summer/fall rather than spring. The crackling flight sound (crepitation) and concealed bright hind wings are characteristic of the genus. Seasonal separation from A. pseudonietana aids identification: A. ramona adults present in late winter and early spring.

Sunny, open patches of soil in grassland and open country. Found from Coast Ranges to interior California including Mt. Diablo. Occupies habitats where bare ground is available for basking and oviposition.

North America: California from Coast Ranges to Mt. Diablo; broader range includes Central America and western North America per distribution records. GBIF records indicate presence in California, Middle America, and North America.

Adults active in late winter and early spring. Emergence begins in late winter, with activity continuing into early spring.

Feeds on leaves, flowers, and seeds of plants. Specific host plant records for this species are limited; diet inferred from general Acrididae feeding habits and limited observations.

Eggs deposited in soil. Female produces approximately 100 eggs. Nymphs undergo multiple molts before reaching adulthood. Overwintering stage not explicitly documented for this species but likely as eggs or nymphs based on spring adult activity.

Males produce a crackling noise during flight by rubbing forewings together (crepitation). This sound is associated with mating behavior and serves to attract females. When disturbed, individuals make evasive flights revealing the concealed orange hind wings. Basks on sunny, open ground. Flight occurs when soil temperatures rise sufficiently.

Herbivore in grassland and open habitat ecosystems. Serves as prey for vertebrate and invertebrate predators. Contribution to nutrient cycling through herbivory and deposition of organic matter.

Agricultural pest potential: feeds on leaves, flowers, and seeds. Specific economic impact not quantified. Attracted to open, disturbed ground.

• Arphia pseudonietanaRed-winged grasshopper with red (not orange) hind wings; adults present in late summer and fall rather than spring, providing seasonal separation
• Arphia conspersaSpecklewinged grasshopper with speckled forewings and usually red hind wings; occurs in spring but with different wing pattern and broader western distribution

• band-winged grasshopper
• crepitating
• California endemic
• spring-active
• orange hind wings

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Specklewinged Grasshopper
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Species Records and Accounts