California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper
Arphia behrensi
This record describes Arphia behrensi (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults in spring and early summer, some may live longer. Hind wings yellow with dark border. Fastigium relatively broad, except very narrow toward front where it meets frontal costa. Hind tibiae blue (at least partly). Nearly identical to A. sulphurea , but found on the west coast from the Bay area in California to southern Oregon ( A. sulphurea is east from the Great Plains). A. ramona is found mostly further south, is somewhat larger, has hind wings almost always orange with dark band narrower, often interrputed near base of spur, and with narrower spur (more as in A. conspersa ). It is not unlikely that A. ramona & A. behrensi are actually northern and southern variants of a single species, though this needs further study to determine. At present they seem distinct enough to consider as probably being different. Lactista gibbosus occurs further south, averages a little smaller, and has fastigium even narrower. The pronotum of L. gibbosus is usually more rugose as well. Also very similar and closely related to A. conspersa , which replaces it eastward in drier areas east of the Sierras. That species has varied wing color, most often red to orange or pink where it approaches the distribution of A. behrensi ) and wider front of fastigium. A. saussureana has adults in summer and autumn, hind wings usually deep orange to red with wider dark border, and also a wide front of fastigium.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Arphiini
- Genus
- Arphia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California west from the Sierra Nevada and north from roughly the Bay Area.
Seasonal Activity
Nymphs overwinter with adults primarily in late winter and spring.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Arphia behrensi. 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 Sulphur-winged Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper
What is California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper?
California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper (Arphia behrensi) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper?
males 19-25 mm females 25-32 mm
How do you identify California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper?
Adults in spring and early summer, some may live longer. Hind wings yellow with dark border. Fastigium relatively broad, except very narrow toward front where it meets frontal costa. Hind tibiae blue (at least partly). Nearly identical to A. sulphurea , but found on the west coast from the Bay area in California to southern Oregon ( A. sulphurea is east from the Great Plains). A. ramona is found mostly further south, is somewhat larger, has hind wings almost always orange with dark band narrower, often interrputed near base of spur, and with narrower spur (more as in A. conspersa ). It is not unlikely that A. ramona & A. behrensi are actually northern and southern variants of a single species, though this needs further study to determine. At present they seem distinct enough to consider as probably being different. Lactista gibbosus occurs further south, averages a little smaller, and has fastigium even narrower. The pronotum of L. gibbosus is usually more rugose as well. Also very similar and closely related to A. conspersa , which replaces it eastward in drier areas east of the Sierras. That species has varied wing color, most often red to orange or pink where it approaches the distribution of A. behrensi ) and wider front of fastigium. A. saussureana has adults in summer and autumn, hind wings usually deep orange to red with wider dark border, and also a wide front of fastigium.
Where is California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper found?
Range: California west from the Sierra Nevada and north from roughly the Bay Area.
When is California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper active?
California Sulphur-winged Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Nymphs overwinter with adults primarily in late winter and spring..