Spurcate Grasshopper
Dissosteira spurcata
This record describes Dissosteira spurcata (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | A large relatively slender Grasshopper, very like Dissosteira carolina , except with coloring of wings reversed, being slightly yellowish pale translucent with a dark border (which may be faint). |
| Body | Body and tegmina usually pale yellowish or grayish brown with more contrasting pattern of dark spots (but intensity of pattern varies, and and the pattern may be nearly plain). Hind tibiae pale yellow (often brownish in D. carolina ). |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with crest somewhat higher than behind cut. Young nymphs of Dissosteira carolina have hind tibiae and often hind femora black, while those of D. spurcata do not. Older nymphs differ in same ways as adults (except for wings, which aren't yet developed). Very similar to D. longipennis , but that species has black wings like D. carolina and is found further east on the Great Plains. A fairly powerful flier, but looking rather like a large leasurely pale butterfly when in the air, often producing a faint clicking crepitation. This species is wary and difficult to approach. Not uncommon, but for some reason not often noticed. Probably is of no economic importance, as it rarely occurs away from native grassland areas. Attracted to lights at night. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Dissosteira
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassland areas, usually favoring relatively undisturbed areas with lots of bare soil.
Geographic Range
Extreme south central British Columbia south to northern Utah, Nevada and into California. South through California (mainly west of Sierra Nevada and deserts) to San Diego area. In many areas has become rare due to development and agriculture, but is still common in most of range.
Seasonal Activity
Overwinters as eggs laid in ground, with adults from late spring or early summer to frost, most common in summer.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: probably Grasses
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The name " spurcata " is probably derived from Latin "spurcitia" meaning filthiness or dirt, or "spurcus" meaning dirty, filthy, or unclean; perhaps in reference to a dirt-like camouflaged color pattern.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Dissosteira spurcata. 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 Spurcate Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Spurcate Grasshopper
What is Spurcate Grasshopper?
Spurcate Grasshopper (Dissosteira spurcata) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Spurcate Grasshopper?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | A large relatively slender Grasshopper, very like Dissosteira carolina , except with coloring of wings reversed, being slightly yellowish pale translucent with a dark border (which may be faint). |
| Body | Body and tegmina usually pale yellowish or grayish brown with more contrasting pattern of dark spots (but intensity of pattern varies, and and the pattern may be nearly plain). Hind tibiae pale yellow (often brownish in D. carolina ). |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with crest somewhat higher than behind cut. Young nymphs of Dissosteira carolina have hind tibiae and often hind femora black, while those of D. spurcata do not. Older nymphs differ in same ways as adults (except for wings, which aren't yet developed). Very similar to D. longipennis , but that species has black wings like D. carolina and is found further east on the Great Plains. |
Where is Spurcate Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grassland areas, usually favoring relatively undisturbed areas with lots of bare soil. |
| Range | Extreme south central British Columbia south to northern Utah, Nevada and into California. South through California (mainly west of Sierra Nevada and deserts) to San Diego area. In many areas has become rare due to development and agriculture, but is still common in most of range. |
What does Spurcate Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Spurcate Grasshopper includes probably Grasses.
When is Spurcate Grasshopper active?
Spurcate Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Overwinters as eggs laid in ground, with adults from late spring or early summer to frost, most common in summer..