Aztec Grasshopper
Lactista aztecus
This record describes Lactista aztecus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Small size (females usually not or little over 1 inch long, males smaller). Pronotum is much narrower at front than back and has low median ridge cut only once. Hind wings yellow with dark cross band; hind tibiae usually bluish. Outer side of hind femur usually has one prominent dark cross band in front of lighter narrowest part; this may be the only dark band, or if not is darker than other cross bands. Usually one narrow slightly diagonal band across folded tegmina, a little past the middle, that is the only one or the darkest one, and that lines up with the one on the hind femur. Very active and alert; often buzzes faintly when flying. Most likely to be confused with Arphia , species, but is smaller, and narrowed front of pronotum is distinctive. Buzz produced in flight is fainter and higher pitched.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Arphiini
- Genus
- Lactista
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
open woodland, grassland, rock outcroppings, desert, etc. Most often found on exposed gravelly areas, often disturbed. May be common on little-used gravelled roads or parking areas, and along embankments.
Geographic Range
East-central and south Texas to southern Arizona into Mexico to at least Puebla
Seasonal Activity
Multiple-brooded, with adults and nymphs occuring throughout year. In areas with freezing winters, apparently overwinters mostly as nymphs, with adults often most abundant in spring.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Lactista aztecus. 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 Aztec Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tom Bentley; Additional contributions by Bug Eric , David Ferguson , v belov , Tyler Hedlund , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Aztec Grasshopper
What is Aztec Grasshopper?
Aztec Grasshopper (Lactista aztecus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Aztec Grasshopper?
Small size (females usually not or little over 1 inch long, males smaller). Pronotum is much narrower at front than back and has low median ridge cut only once. Hind wings yellow with dark cross band; hind tibiae usually bluish. Outer side of hind femur usually has one prominent dark cross band in front of lighter narrowest part; this may be the only dark band, or if not is darker than other cross bands. Usually one narrow slightly diagonal band across folded tegmina, a little past the middle, that is the only one or the darkest one, and that lines up with the one on the hind femur. Very active and alert; often buzzes faintly when flying. Most likely to be confused with Arphia , species, but is smaller, and narrowed front of pronotum is distinctive. Buzz produced in flight is fainter and higher pitched.
Where is Aztec Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | open woodland, grassland, rock outcroppings, desert, etc. Most often found on exposed gravelly areas, often disturbed. May be common on little-used gravelled roads or parking areas, and along embankments. |
| Range | East-central and south Texas to southern Arizona into Mexico to at least Puebla |
When is Aztec Grasshopper active?
Aztec Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Multiple-brooded, with adults and nymphs occuring throughout year. In areas with freezing winters, apparently overwinters mostly as nymphs, with adults often most abundant in spring..