Arizona Longwing
Capnobotes arizonensis
This record describes Capnobotes arizonensis (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large, green to brown or gray, with large fairly even-spaced rounded pale spots on tegmina. Hinds wings not dark. Prosternal spine, and ventral hind femoral spines absent (present in other Capnobotes species). C. fuliginosa has dark nearly black hind wings. C. fuliginosa & C. occidentalis both have the largest pale markings on tegmina smaller, arranged in distinct lengthwise rows, with the row in middle of tegmina composed of elongate diagonal spots. Male calling song like that of C. occidentalis .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Tettigoniinae
- Genus
- Capnobotes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deserts, associated with Saltbrush, Atriplex , and Creosote, Larrea tridentata .
Geographic Range
Primarily Mojave Desert and western Great Basin in eastern California, western Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and probably sw. corner of Utah
Seasonal Activity
Adults May-August
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author is Rehn, J.A.G., 1904.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Capnobotes arizonensis. 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 Arizona Longwing (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Longwing
What is Arizona Longwing?
Arizona Longwing (Capnobotes arizonensis) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Arizona Longwing?
50-55 mm
How do you identify Arizona Longwing?
Large, green to brown or gray, with large fairly even-spaced rounded pale spots on tegmina. Hinds wings not dark. Prosternal spine, and ventral hind femoral spines absent (present in other Capnobotes species). C. fuliginosa has dark nearly black hind wings. C. fuliginosa & C. occidentalis both have the largest pale markings on tegmina smaller, arranged in distinct lengthwise rows, with the row in middle of tegmina composed of elongate diagonal spots. Male calling song like that of C. occidentalis .
Where is Arizona Longwing found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deserts, associated with Saltbrush, Atriplex , and Creosote, Larrea tridentata . |
| Range | Primarily Mojave Desert and western Great Basin in eastern California, western Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and probably sw. corner of Utah |
When is Arizona Longwing active?
Arizona Longwing: seasonal activity - Adults May-August.