California Saltbush Grasshopper
Aeoloplides californicus
This record describes Aeoloplides californicus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Tegmina overlap over back when folded, longer than pronotum (usually much longer). Similar to A. tenuipennis , differing in structure of hind femur, which is not distinctly grooved along lower edge, and without a wedge-shaped flange (as viewed from side) at base of lower side.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Aeoloplides
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern California west of deserts, from Bay area and mid Central Valley south to about Los Angeles County.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Aeoloplides californicus. 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 California Saltbush Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About California Saltbush Grasshopper
What is California Saltbush Grasshopper?
California Saltbush Grasshopper (Aeoloplides californicus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify California Saltbush Grasshopper?
Tegmina overlap over back when folded, longer than pronotum (usually much longer). Similar to A. tenuipennis , differing in structure of hind femur, which is not distinctly grooved along lower edge, and without a wedge-shaped flange (as viewed from side) at base of lower side.
Where is California Saltbush Grasshopper found?
Range: Southern California west of deserts, from Bay area and mid Central Valley south to about Los Angeles County.