Hesperotettix curtipennis
This record describes Hesperotettix curtipennis (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Hesperotettix viridis , especially the subspecies pratensis , but with very short wings that are usually separated along the middle when folded. This may only be a subspecies of H. viridis , but H. viridis ssp. viridis or ssp. nevadensis often occur near to H. curtipennis (in different habitats or on different plants), yet H. curtipennis remains distinct. However, it is possible that H. viridis viridis and the subspecies pratensis are actually different species (they often occur together or near to one another, and seem to remain different), and also that H. curtipennis may be a short-winged western mountain variant of the very similar pratensis . It is not yet clear what happens when pratensis and curtipennis meet. The population limits of these very similar insects definitely needs further study. No other species is likely to be confused with H. curtipennis .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Podismini
- Genus
- Hesperotettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually found high in up in the mountains in wooded areas, and often is associated with Wormwood or Yarrow in open gravelly grassy areas.
Geographic Range
Southern Rocky Mountains
Seasonal Activity
adults in early Summer to frost
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Herbaceous Composites, with herbaceus Artemisia and Achillea species among their favorites.
Life History
eggs in winter
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Hesperotettix curtipennis. 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 Hesperotettix curtipennis (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Hesperotettix curtipennis
What is Hesperotettix curtipennis?
Hesperotettix curtipennis is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Hesperotettix curtipennis?
Very similar to Hesperotettix viridis , especially the subspecies pratensis , but with very short wings that are usually separated along the middle when folded. This may only be a subspecies of H. viridis , but H. viridis ssp. viridis or ssp. nevadensis often occur near to H. curtipennis (in different habitats or on different plants), yet H. curtipennis remains distinct. However, it is possible that H. viridis viridis and the subspecies pratensis are actually different species (they often occur together or near to one another, and seem to remain different), and also that H. curtipennis may be a short-winged western mountain variant of the very similar pratensis . It is not yet clear what happens when pratensis and curtipennis meet. The population limits of these very similar insects definitely needs further study. No other species is likely to be confused with H. curtipennis .
Where is Hesperotettix curtipennis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Usually found high in up in the mountains in wooded areas, and often is associated with Wormwood or Yarrow in open gravelly grassy areas. |
| Range | Southern Rocky Mountains |
What does Hesperotettix curtipennis eat?
The diet of the Hesperotettix curtipennis includes Herbaceous Composites, with herbaceus Artemisia and Achillea species among their favorites..
When is Hesperotettix curtipennis active?
Hesperotettix curtipennis: seasonal activity - adults in early Summer to frost.
What is the life cycle of a Hesperotettix curtipennis?
eggs in winter