Circotettix crotalum

Rehn, 1921

Rattling Grasshopper

Circotettix crotalum, the rattling , is a band-winged grasshopper in the Acrididae. It is native to North America, with documented records from Nevada. The belongs to a characterized by active that can complicate standard sweep-net sampling methods.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Circotettix crotalum: //ˌsɜːkəˈtɛtɪks ˈkroʊtələm//

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

Identification

As a member of the Oedipodinae (band-winged grasshoppers), C. crotalum likely possesses enlarged hind wings with dark bands, a trait characteristic of this . Specific diagnostic features distinguishing it from such as C. rabula (wrangler ) and C. carlinianus are not documented in available sources.

Distribution

Documented from Nevada; distribution records indicate presence in North America. Specific range details beyond these localities are not established in available sources.

Behavior

in the Circotettix, including C. crotalum, have been observed to exhibit highly active characteristics that cause them to flush ahead of sweep nets and fly long distances. This results in underrepresentation in standard sweep-net surveys.

Human Relevance

Not identified as an economically important pest . Its active makes it difficult to using standard agricultural survey methods, potentially leading to underreporting in rangeland monitoring programs.

Similar Taxa

  • Circotettix rabulaCongeneric band-winged grasshopper with similar active ; distinguished by specific wing pattern and body proportions not detailed for C. crotalum
  • Circotettix carlinianusCongeneric found in overlapping western North American ranges; specific distinguishing characters not documented in available sources
  • Circotettix undulatusCongeneric reported from the Big Horn Basin region of Wyoming; differentiation from C. crotalum requires examination of wing venation and body markings

More Details

Taxonomic note

Authored by Rehn in 1921. The Circotettix is placed in tribe Trimerotropini within Oedipodinae.

Survey limitations

This exemplifies a known in survey methodology: highly active fliers are systematically underrepresented in sweep-net collections, leading to incomplete distribution data.

Sources and further reading