Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper
Clematodes larreae
This record describes Clematodes larreae (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Mottled gray or brown; pronotum rugose; tegmina very short. The only spur-throated and slant-faced grasshopper in New Mexico. Rarely collected, possibly because of its excellent camouflage.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Copiocerinae
- Genus
- Clematodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Desert
Geographic Range
Arizona, Southern New Mexico and Texas through the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host: Creosotebush
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of species is Cockerell, 1901.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Clematodes larreae. 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 Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki
Frequently Asked Questions About Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper
What is Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper?
Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper (Clematodes larreae) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper?
20-28 mm
How do you identify Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper?
Mottled gray or brown; pronotum rugose; tegmina very short.
Where is Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Desert |
| Range | Arizona, Southern New Mexico and Texas through the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico. |
What does Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Gray Creosotebush Grasshopper includes Host: Creosotebush.