Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper
Morsea californica
This record describes Morsea californica (species). Recorded family: Eumastacidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Morsea californica: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morsea_californica.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Eumastacidae (Monkey Grasshoppers)
- Genus
- Morsea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
mountains of southern California (south of Mojave Desert and Central Valley)
Seasonal Activity
Adults June to November, varying somewhat with location.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded from Chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ), Mountain Mahogany ( Cercocarpus ) species, and to be expected on other shrubs and trees in the Rose Family such as ( Purshia ). Also reported from Oak ( Quercus ), Buckthorn ( Rhamnus ), and Manzanita ( Arctostaphylos )
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Morsea californica. 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 Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper
Where is Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper found?
Range: mountains of southern California (south of Mojave Desert and Central Valley)
What does Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper includes Recorded from Chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ), Mountain Mahogany ( Cercocarpus ) species, and to be expected on other shrubs and trees in the Rose Family such as ( Purshia ). Also reported from Oak ( Quercus ), Buckthorn ( Rhamnus ), and Manzanita ( Arctostaphylos ).
When is Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper active?
Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults June to November, varying somewhat with location..