California Red-winged Grasshopper

Arphia saussureana

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Acrididae
Subfamily: Oedipodinae
Tribe: Arphiini
Genus: Arphia
Species: saussureana

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Arphia saussureana: /ˈɑːrfɪə sɔːˌsʊəriˈæna/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Summary

Arphia saussureana, or the California red-winged grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper found primarily in northern California and Oregon, characterized by its late season emergence and paler coloration compared to closely related species.

Physical Characteristics

Typically paler brownish or yellowish abdomen and ventral thorax with limited darker coloration; hind femur with two complete pale cross bands; hind tibiae lighter in color, often bluish or dull yellowish/brownish, blackened toward base and tip; wings are nearly always red with a distinctly wider dark cross band.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from A. pseudonietana by paler body coloration, wings typically red, and a distinctly wider dark cross band.

Habitat

Open sunny areas, varied but mostly not in broad valley bottoms.

Distribution

Northern California (north from about Monterey) and Oregon west of Sierras.

Life Cycle

Hatches in spring and matures in summer with adults mostly from July until October, some possibly surviving into winter.

Evolution

Debated whether it is distinct from A. pseudonietana; distinctions appear to be based on paler coloration and geographical distribution.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some consider A. saussureana not to be a distinct species from A. pseudonietana despite the distinguishing features.