Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper
Acrolophitus pulchellus
This record describes Acrolophitus pulchellus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Not likely to be confused with any other species. Pointed head; long brownish orange antennae; body green, mottled and striped with white to pinkish; hind wings yellow at base with blackish cross band. Similar to Acrolophitus hirtipes , but from a different region, smaller, and with no pronotal crest. A. nevadensis is more similar, but found further south, more stocky in build, and is more plain in coloration (green with fewer pale stripes). Distinction from Acrolophitus nevadensis as a different species has been debated, but morphology and coloration are distinctive enough that it is generally considered as separate. A. pulchellus is one of few species of Gomphocerines that can crepitate in flight, producing a relatively faint clicking sound.
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
Geographic Range
Reported as gravelly/rocky areas with short vegetation in Butte, Clark, and Custer Counties in Idaho
Seasonal Activity
Adults in summer
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Apparently associated with Stemless Goldenweed ( Stenotus acaulis ; Asteraceae [ = Haplopappus acaulis; = Chrysopsis acaulis )
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Acrolophitus pulchellus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper
What is Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper?
Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper (Acrolophitus pulchellus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper?
Not likely to be confused with any other species. Pointed head; long brownish orange antennae; body green, mottled and striped with white to pinkish; hind wings yellow at base with blackish cross band. Similar to Acrolophitus hirtipes , but from a different region, smaller, and with no pronotal crest. A. nevadensis is more similar, but found further south, more stocky in build, and is more plain in coloration (green with fewer pale stripes).
Where is Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper found?
Range: Reported as gravelly/rocky areas with short vegetation in Butte, Clark, and Custer Counties in Idaho
What does Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper includes Apparently associated with Stemless Goldenweed ( Stenotus acaulis ; Asteraceae [ = Haplopappus acaulis; = Chrysopsis acaulis ).
When is Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper active?
Idaho Point-headed Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults in summer.