Texas Cholla Grasshopper
Chloroplus cactocaetes
This record describes Chloroplus cactocaetes (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Usually olivaceous green with dark markings of darker and richer green. |
| Head | Head large (wider and higher than pronotum) with large brown eyes. |
| Antennae | Antennae slender, shorter than lenghth of head and pronotum together; reddish with yellowish base. |
| Wings | Wings usually not reaching tip of abdomen. Front four legs buff to brownish. Hind femur short and stout brownish with olive dark bands across top. Hind tibiae blue. Most likely to be confused with Campylacantha olivacea , except pattern on hind femur not heringbone-like, and head proportionately somewhat larger. Pattern often more speckled with white in C. olivacea from the same region. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Podismini
- Genus
- Chloroplus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Normally found on Cholla Cactus ( Cylindropuntia ) in dry environments.
Geographic Range
Known from central and southern Texas.
Seasonal Activity
Adults in summer.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Chloroplus cactocaetes. 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 Texas Cholla Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Cholla Grasshopper
What is Texas Cholla Grasshopper?
Texas Cholla Grasshopper (Chloroplus cactocaetes) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Texas Cholla Grasshopper?
males about 16-22 mm females about 23-28 mm
How do you identify Texas Cholla Grasshopper?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Usually olivaceous green with dark markings of darker and richer green. |
| Head | Head large (wider and higher than pronotum) with large brown eyes. |
| Antennae | Antennae slender, shorter than lenghth of head and pronotum together; reddish with yellowish base. |
| Wings | Wings usually not reaching tip of abdomen. Front four legs buff to brownish. Hind femur short and stout brownish with olive dark bands across top. Hind tibiae blue. Most likely to be confused with Campylacantha olivacea , except pattern on hind femur not heringbone-like, and head proportionately somewhat larger. Pattern often more speckled with white in C. olivacea from the same region. |
Where is Texas Cholla Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Normally found on Cholla Cactus ( Cylindropuntia ) in dry environments. |
| Range | Known from central and southern Texas. |
When is Texas Cholla Grasshopper active?
Texas Cholla Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults in summer..