Spurcate Grasshopper
Dissosteira spurcata
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Caelifera
- Family: Acrididae
- Subfamily: Oedipodinae
- Tribe: Trimerotropini
- Genus: Dissosteira
- Species: spurcata
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dissosteira spurcata: //ˌdɪsɒsˈtaɪrə spɜːrˈkeɪtə//
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Summary
Dissosteira spurcata, or the spurcate grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper belonging to the family Acrididae, found primarily in North America. It is characterized by its pale coloration and contrasting dark spots, and is adapted to grassland habitats with bare soil.
Physical Characteristics
A large relatively slender grasshopper with pale yellowish or grayish brown body coloration and a more contrasting pattern of dark spots. Wings are slightly yellowish and translucent with a dark border. Hind tibiae are pale yellow, often brownish in D. carolina. Pronotum has a crest somewhat higher than behind the cut.
Identification Tips
Distinguished from Dissosteira carolina by the reversed wing coloring and absence of black in hind tibiae and femora of younger nymphs. Older nymphs resemble adults except for wings.
Habitat
Grassland areas, usually favoring relatively undisturbed locations with lots of bare soil.
Distribution
Extreme south central British Columbia south to northern Utah, Nevada, and into California. Extends south through California (mainly west of Sierra Nevada and deserts) to the San Diego area.
Diet
Probably grasses.
Life Cycle
Overwinters as eggs laid in the ground. Adults emerge from late spring or early summer to frost, with the peak population during summer.
Conservation Status
In many areas has become rare due to development and agriculture, but is still common in most of its range.
Ecosystem Role
Probably plays a role in the grassland ecosystem as a herbivore, but specific ecosystem roles are not documented.
Economic Impact
Of no economic importance as it rarely occurs away from native grassland areas.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Often overlooked; appears to be not uncommon yet not often noticed in the field.
Tags
- Spurcate Grasshopper
- Pale-Winged Grasshopper
- Orthoptera
- North America
- Grassland Species