Desert Clicker Grasshopper
Ligurotettix coquilletti
This record describes Ligurotettix coquilletti (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Small, uniformly grayish/brownish with long wings. Abdomen typically yellow. Males stridulate during the day and night. Author of this species (and genus) is Jerome McNeill, about whom little information is readily available. Interesting quotes from the species description: Video of calling male
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Ligurotettix (Clicker grasshoppers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with desert shrubs, especially creosote, Larrea tridentata .
Geographic Range
Sonoroan Desert: Nevada, California, southwestern Arizona into Mexico
Seasonal Activity
June-October
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ligurotettix coquilletti. 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 Desert Clicker Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis , Tom Bentley , David Ferguson , James Bailey , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Desert Clicker Grasshopper
What is Desert Clicker Grasshopper?
Desert Clicker Grasshopper (Ligurotettix coquilletti) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Desert Clicker Grasshopper?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 16-23 mm |
| Female | 21-30 mm |
How do you identify Desert Clicker Grasshopper?
Small, uniformly grayish/brownish with long wings. Abdomen typically yellow. Males stridulate during the day and night.
Where is Desert Clicker Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Associated with desert shrubs, especially creosote, Larrea tridentata . |
| Range | Sonoroan Desert: Nevada, California, southwestern Arizona into Mexico |
When is Desert Clicker Grasshopper active?
Desert Clicker Grasshopper: seasonal activity - June-October.