Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket
Ellipes monticolus
This record describes Ellipes monticolus (species). Recorded family: Tridactylidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Antennae | Antennae of male with 11 and female with 12 segments (as in E. gurneyi and E. californicus ). |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with broad yellow border, central disk dark and divided by irregular yellowish lines. Caudal margin of female subgenital plate with median truncated process. Type locality: Northern America, Southwestern U.S.A., Utah, Arches National Monument, north Moab. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Tridactylidae (Pygmy Mole 'Crickets')
- Genus
- Ellipes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In se. AZ, found in patches of sandy shoreline along creeks in mountain canyons
Geographic Range
Apparently restricted to mountainous areas of the sw. US; known from Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ellipes monticolus. 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 Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket
What is Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket?
Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket (Ellipes monticolus) is a species in the family Tridactylidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Antennae | Antennae of male with 11 and female with 12 segments (as in E. gurneyi and E. californicus ). |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with broad yellow border, central disk dark and divided by irregular yellowish lines. Caudal margin of female subgenital plate with median truncated process. |
Where is Canyon Pygmy Mole Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | In se. AZ, found in patches of sandy shoreline along creeks in mountain canyons |
| Range | Apparently restricted to mountainous areas of the sw. US; known from Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas |