Creosote Bush Grasshopper
Bootettix argentatus
This record describes Bootettix argentatus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinctive: most similar to the unrelated Creosote Bush katydid ( Insara covilleae ), which is distinguished by the long antennae and pattern specifics. Male song is a short 1-2 second long, locust-like reel given after dusk.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Bootettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Basically the same as Creosote Bush ( Larrea ) in North America. From western Texas and New Mexico to California and southward.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Specialist feeder on Creosote bush - Larrea
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: argentatus is Latin for "silvered". The original description says: "A series of silvery blotches along the sides and beneath is a distinguishing character."
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Bootettix argentatus. 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 Creosote Bush Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tom Bentley; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , David Ferguson , James Bailey , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Creosote Bush Grasshopper
What is Creosote Bush Grasshopper?
Creosote Bush Grasshopper (Bootettix argentatus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Creosote Bush Grasshopper?
Distinctive: most similar to the unrelated Creosote Bush katydid ( Insara covilleae ), which is distinguished by the long antennae and pattern specifics. Male song is a short 1-2 second long, locust-like reel given after dusk.
Where is Creosote Bush Grasshopper found?
Range: Basically the same as Creosote Bush ( Larrea ) in North America. From western Texas and New Mexico to California and southward.
What does Creosote Bush Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Creosote Bush Grasshopper includes Specialist feeder on Creosote bush - Larrea.