Obscure Grasshopper
Eritettix obscurus
This record describes Eritettix obscurus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wings shorter than abdomen. Found in Florida.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Eritettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassland areas, most often in open Pine or Oak woodlands, where it favors clumps of Wire Grass.
Geographic Range
Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: probably mostly grasses
Life History
Overwinters as adults and nymphs, with eggs laid mostly in spring.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Eritettix obscurus. 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 Obscure Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Obscure Grasshopper
What is Obscure Grasshopper?
Obscure Grasshopper (Eritettix obscurus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Obscure Grasshopper?
Wings shorter than abdomen. Found in Florida.
Where is Obscure Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grassland areas, most often in open Pine or Oak woodlands, where it favors clumps of Wire Grass. |
| Range | Florida |
What does Obscure Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Obscure Grasshopper includes probably mostly grasses.
What is the life cycle of a Obscure Grasshopper?
Overwinters as adults and nymphs, with eggs laid mostly in spring.