California Orange-winged Grasshopper

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Arphia ramona: //ˈɑːɹ.fi.əɹəˈmoʊ.nə//

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Summary

Arphia ramona, commonly known as the California orange-winged grasshopper, is a grasshopper species found mainly in California with distinct orange hind wings, predominantly prospering in habitats west of the Sierra Nevada.

Physical Characteristics

Males 23-31 mm, females 30-41 mm. Wings usually orange, can verge to red or rarely yellow. Produces a harsh buzz in flight.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by the color of the wings and the size differences compared to similar species such as A. behrensi and A. conspersa.

Habitat

Found primarily in California, particularly in areas west of the Sierra Nevada and in desert mountains and uplands.

Distribution

California, from the Coast Ranges to Mt. Diablo, north from the Bay Area and central Sierra Nevada, extending into parts of Central America and North America.

Diet

Probably primarily feeds on cool season grasses.

Life Cycle

Overwinters as nymphs, with adults primarily active in late winter and early spring.

Evolution

A. ramona is closely related to A. behrensi and A. conspersa, with possibilities of intergradation and subspecies classifications due to similar morphology and overlapping distributions.

Similar Taxa

• A. behrensi
• A. conspersa
• A. sulphurea
• Lactista gibbosus

Misconceptions

Often confused with A. behrensi and A. conspersa due to morphological similarities and overlapping ranges.

Tags

• grasshopper
• Acrididae
• California
• orange-winged grasshopper