Texas Point-head Grasshopper
Acrolophitus maculipennis
This record describes Acrolophitus maculipennis (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to other species of Acrolophitus . Overlaps range with A. hirtipes , which is larger, has a prominent crest on pronotum, and is usually more green than blackish. Also, all other Acrolophitus species have yellow hind wings with a black cross band, while A. maculipennis has black wings. Syrbula montezuma has blackish wings, but is not as hairy, has the pronotum differently shaped (not so strongly narrowed toward the front), does not have a concave face, has shorter antennae, and has a different color pattern (less broken into leopard spots). Sometimes makes a faint metallic ticking when flying, which is very rare in subfamily Gomphocerinae. Although they tend to sit on or near to their host plants, they fly when disturbed, and look and behave a great deal like Band-winged Grasshoppers of the subfamily Oedipodinae; however, no species of that group have both pointed heads and mostly black wings.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Acrolophitus (Point-head Grasshoppers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually on gravelly or gypsum hillsides in desert or desert grassland in association with small shrubby species of Coldenia / Tiquillia . Often considered rare, but actually quite abundant in the proper habitat.
Geographic Range
West Texas, southern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona into northern Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Overwinters as eggs in soil. Hatch in spring or early summer. Adults summer into autumn.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Low shrubby species of Coldenia and Tiquillia , perhaps also shrubby Nama species.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Acrolophitus maculipennis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Texas Point-head Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tom Bentley; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Point-head Grasshopper
What is Texas Point-head Grasshopper?
Texas Point-head Grasshopper (Acrolophitus maculipennis) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Texas Point-head Grasshopper?
Very similar to other species of Acrolophitus . Overlaps range with A. hirtipes , which is larger, has a prominent crest on pronotum, and is usually more green than blackish. Also, all other Acrolophitus species have yellow hind wings with a black cross band, while A. maculipennis has black wings. Syrbula montezuma has blackish wings, but is not as hairy, has the pronotum differently shaped (not so strongly narrowed toward the front), does not have a concave face, has shorter antennae, and has a different color pattern (less broken into leopard spots).
Where is Texas Point-head Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Usually on gravelly or gypsum hillsides in desert or desert grassland in association with small shrubby species of Coldenia / Tiquillia . Often considered rare, but actually quite abundant in the proper habitat. |
| Range | West Texas, southern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona into northern Mexico. |
What does Texas Point-head Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Texas Point-head Grasshopper includes Low shrubby species of Coldenia and Tiquillia , perhaps also shrubby Nama species..
When is Texas Point-head Grasshopper active?
Texas Point-head Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Overwinters as eggs in soil. Hatch in spring or early summer. Adults summer into autumn..