Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper
Melanoplus arizonae
This record describes Melanoplus arizonae (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Melanoplus arizonae is similar to M. sanguinipes . Averages more boldly and brightly patterned, but coloration is highly variable. Less likely to be greenish/bluish. Less likely to have a solid dark bar on thorax behind eyes. Averages larger (though size varies with location and environmental conditions). Male subgenital plate usually not notched at the tip (sometimes it is slightly). Male furculae and cerci longer with apical end spooned out a bit and somewhat bent inward. Hump underside of male thorax a bit larger, and more often present in female. Tip of male abdomen
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Melanoplus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly dry grasslands, occasionally open grassy woodlands or grassy patches in desert.
Geographic Range
Southern Great Plains, Southern Rockies, Colorado Plateaus, Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert, etc. Utah to Kansas, south into Mexico.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus arizonae. 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 Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper
What is Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper?
Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper (Melanoplus arizonae) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper?
Melanoplus arizonae is similar to M. sanguinipes . Averages more boldly and brightly patterned, but coloration is highly variable. Less likely to be greenish/bluish. Less likely to have a solid dark bar on thorax behind eyes. Averages larger (though size varies with location and environmental conditions). Male subgenital plate usually not notched at the tip (sometimes it is slightly). Male furculae and cerci longer with apical end spooned out a bit and somewhat bent inward. Hump underside of male thorax a bit larger, and more often present in female. Tip of male abdomen
Where is Arizona Spur-Throat Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly dry grasslands, occasionally open grassy woodlands or grassy patches in desert. |
| Range | Southern Great Plains, Southern Rockies, Colorado Plateaus, Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert, etc. Utah to Kansas, south into Mexico. |