Thistle Grasshopper
Aeoloplides turnbulli
This record describes Aeoloplides turnbulli (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Habitat
Originally mostly dry deserty areas with Atriplex , especially A. canescens , but now widespread in vacant lots, roadsides and other disturbed areas where weedy Chenopods grow.
Geographic Range
Rockies and Great Plains from southern Canada to New Mexico and Texas
Seasonal Activity
adults in summer and autumn.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: A variety of Chenopodiaceae, favoring Atriplex species, but also using Salsola and Kochia ( Bassia ), which have expanded the range of this grasshopper eastward on the Great Plains well beyond it's original distribution. Generally considered somewhat beneficial for it's love of tumbleweeds, but also will invade Beet and Spinach fields and sometimes become a pest.
Life History
Overwinters as eggs.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The name "Thistle Grasshopper" is derived from the plant "Russian Thistle", which isn't really a thistle at all.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Aeoloplides turnbulli. 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 Thistle Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Thistle Grasshopper
Where is Thistle Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Originally mostly dry deserty areas with Atriplex , especially A. canescens , but now widespread in vacant lots, roadsides and other disturbed areas where weedy Chenopods grow. |
| Range | Rockies and Great Plains from southern Canada to New Mexico and Texas |
What does Thistle Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Thistle Grasshopper includes A variety of Chenopodiaceae, favoring Atriplex species, but also using Salsola and Kochia ( Bassia ), which have expanded the range of this grasshopper eastward on the Great Plains well beyond it's original distribution. Generally considered somewhat beneficial for it's love of tumbleweeds, but also will invade Beet and Spinach fields and sometimes become a pest..
When is Thistle Grasshopper active?
Thistle Grasshopper: seasonal activity - adults in summer and autumn..
What is the life cycle of a Thistle Grasshopper?
Overwinters as eggs.