Shasta Grasshopper
Circotettix shastanus
This record describes Circotettix shastanus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A very loud, conspicuous, and striking grasshopper when in flight, and a likely to be a memorable feature of any summer / autumn visit to the Sierra Nevada. Even when people don't see or notice the actual insects, the sound is often a part of the experience. The males produce aerial displays while producing a harsh buzzing sound punctuated by loud snaps. Females are loud in flight too, but mostly do not participate in the aerial dances. Distinction from C. undulatus is weak, and the two intergrade where they meet, leading to populations of insects with wings varying in color from yellow to light blue. However, there are some differences (semi-consistent, and not reliable) in wing venation, and this species is found mostly to the west of C. undulatus . It is likely that C. shastanus should be considered as the California Sierran subspecies of C. undulatus . Also of note is C. crotalum , from the Spring Mountains in Nevada, which is very similar, but with wing venation as in C. undulatus .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Circotettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly steep exposed rocky slopes in the mountains, but often common along road cuts and similar rocky disturbed areas. Found from about the lowest reaches of conifer woodlands to at least 10,000 ft. elevation.
Geographic Range
Mountains of southernmost Oregon and northern California, southward through Sierra Nevada into Tehachapi Mountains.
Seasonal Activity
Overwinters as eggs. Adults most abundant in early summer, but often still common into at least early October.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The common name "Shasta Grasshopper" is based on the species name, but implies a northern distribution. In reality this species is almost ubiquitous to the higher mountains for the full length of California, and if one of the scientific names were to be "translated" into a common name, it seems that "Splendid Grasshopper" or "Splendid Crackler" might be more appropriate (and fun).
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Circotettix shastanus. 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 Shasta Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Shasta Grasshopper
What is Shasta Grasshopper?
Shasta Grasshopper (Circotettix shastanus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
Where is Shasta Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly steep exposed rocky slopes in the mountains, but often common along road cuts and similar rocky disturbed areas. Found from about the lowest reaches of conifer woodlands to at least 10,000 ft. elevation. |
| Range | Mountains of southernmost Oregon and northern California, southward through Sierra Nevada into Tehachapi Mountains. |
When is Shasta Grasshopper active?
Shasta Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Overwinters as eggs. Adults most abundant in early summer, but often still common into at least early October..