Groove-headed Grasshopper
Conozoa sulcifrons
This record describes Conozoa sulcifrons (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Differs from C. carinata in usually having red or orange (often yellow in northern specimens) hind tibiae; and, median carina of pronotum lower and less even in profile.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Conozoa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly flat dry bare silty or fine sand areas in bottomlands, often in or near areas where water collects intermittantly. Usually assocated with sparse patchy grass (commonly Sporobolus species).
Geographic Range
S. British Columbia, Canada; south to Baja California Norte, Mexico; and to Arizona and New Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Adults Present: March-November; usually most abundant in mid-summer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Overwinters as eggs laid in ground.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Conozoa sulcifrons. 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 Groove-headed Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Groove-headed Grasshopper
What is Groove-headed Grasshopper?
Groove-headed Grasshopper (Conozoa sulcifrons) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Groove-headed Grasshopper?
19-37 mm
Where is Groove-headed Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly flat dry bare silty or fine sand areas in bottomlands, often in or near areas where water collects intermittantly. Usually assocated with sparse patchy grass (commonly Sporobolus species). |
| Range | S. British Columbia, Canada; south to Baja California Norte, Mexico; and to Arizona and New Mexico. |
When is Groove-headed Grasshopper active?
Groove-headed Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults Present: March-November; usually most abundant in mid-summer..
What is the life cycle of a Groove-headed Grasshopper?
Overwinters as eggs laid in ground.