Ruby Road Trig
Anaxipha hyalicetra
This record describes Anaxipha hyalicetra (species). Recorded family: Trigonidiidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The only Anaxipha in Arizona. The male tegmina are broader than in any other species of the genus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Trigonidiidae (Trigs and Ground Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Trigonidiinae
- Genus
- Anaxipha (Brown Trigs)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Currently only known from Santa Cruz County, AZ.
Seasonal Activity
Available records suggest early summer to midsummer adult activity. Individuals were common from 15–23 July in two consecutive years. By 31 August 2014, males were scarce, and no females were found. Males collected 23 July lived in captivity until 19 August (Cole & Funk 2019). In my experience this matches. Individuals were heard abundantly in mid July, with a sharp drop-off towards the end of August and early September, when very few could still be heard (James Bailey 2022).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: 'hyalo' (glassy) + 'cetra' (a small light shield), referring to the broad, transparent male tegmina
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Anaxipha hyalicetra. 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 Ruby Road Trig (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera; Additional contributions by James Bailey
Frequently Asked Questions About Ruby Road Trig
What is Ruby Road Trig?
Ruby Road Trig (Anaxipha hyalicetra) is a species in the family Trigonidiidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Ruby Road Trig?
The only Anaxipha in Arizona. The male tegmina are broader than in any other species of the genus.
Where is Ruby Road Trig found?
Range: Currently only known from Santa Cruz County, AZ.
When is Ruby Road Trig active?
Ruby Road Trig: seasonal activity - Available records suggest early summer to midsummer adult activity. Individuals were common from 15–23 July in two consecutive years. By 31 August 2014, males were scarce, and no females were found. Males collected 23 July lived in captivity until 19 August (Cole & Funk 2019). In my experience this matches. Individuals were heard abundantly in mid July, with a sharp drop-off towards the end of August and early September, when very few could still be heard (James Bailey 2022)..