California Clouded Grasshopper
Chimarocephala californica
This record describes Chimarocephala californica (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar in general appearance to Encoptolophus pallidus , but structurally somewhat more like Encoptolophus subgracilis , with a narrower fastigium and straighter lateral pronotal carinae than both. Occurs futher west than both, and has dark pattern usually more extensive than in E. pallidus . Only Encoptolophus robustus is likely to be found in the same areas, and that species is adult mostly later in the year, is a proportionately more stocky insect (with proportionately shorter wings), and proportionately narrower head with a distinctly narrower fastigium. Other Chimarocephala species are usually different in color pattern; more likely to be green (or pink), especially females, and with dark bars on tegmina usually weakly developed and if present limited to the costal margin (lower margin when folded); however, C. pacifica might be confused, and usually has the pronotum more roughened, the median pronotal carina is often uncut (northward), and/or the lateral pronotal carinae are not continuous in one line but offset and often broken (southward).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Chortophagini
- Genus
- Chimarocephala
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Poorly documented, but likely favors low moist and/or alkaline areas with perennial grasses. A record from "sand dunes" at Alamitos Bay may be for a specimen found outside or adjacent to the usual habitat?
Geographic Range
Mostly in valleys west from the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountians, and north from the Transverse Ranges in California.
Seasonal Activity
adults are known from March to September
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Probably overwinters as nymphs, maturing in early spring. Perhaps there is a partial second brood, but more likely some adults simply live until late summer.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Chimarocephala californica. 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 Clouded Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About California Clouded Grasshopper
What is California Clouded Grasshopper?
California Clouded Grasshopper (Chimarocephala californica) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify California Clouded Grasshopper?
Similar in general appearance to Encoptolophus pallidus , but structurally somewhat more like Encoptolophus subgracilis , with a narrower fastigium and straighter lateral pronotal carinae than both. Occurs futher west than both, and has dark pattern usually more extensive than in E. pallidus . Only Encoptolophus robustus is likely to be found in the same areas, and that species is adult mostly later in the year, is a proportionately more stocky insect (with proportionately shorter wings), and proportionately narrower head with a distinctly narrower fastigium. Other Chimarocephala species are usually different in color pattern; more likely to be green (or pink), especially females, and with dark bars on tegmina usually weakly developed and if present limited to the costal margin (lower margin when folded); however, C. pacifica might be confused, and usually has the pronotum more roughened, the median pronotal carina is often uncut (northward), and/or the lateral pronotal carinae are not continuous in one line but offset and often broken (southward).
Where is California Clouded Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Poorly documented, but likely favors low moist and/or alkaline areas with perennial grasses. A record from sand dunes at Alamitos Bay may be for a specimen found outside or adjacent to the usual habitat? |
| Range | Mostly in valleys west from the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountians, and north from the Transverse Ranges in California. |
When is California Clouded Grasshopper active?
California Clouded Grasshopper: seasonal activity - adults are known from March to September.
What is the life cycle of a California Clouded Grasshopper?
Probably overwinters as nymphs, maturing in early spring. Perhaps there is a partial second brood, but more likely some adults simply live until late summer.