Olympic grasshopper
Nisquallia olympica
This record describes Nisquallia olympica (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Both sexes apterous.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Podismini
- Genus
- Nisquallia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Above treeline
Geographic Range
Olympic Peninsula of Washington, USA
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Nisquallia olympica. 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 Olympic grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Olympic grasshopper
How big is Olympic grasshopper?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 21-25 mm |
| Male | 16 mm (Rehn, 1952) |
How do you identify Olympic grasshopper?
Both sexes apterous.
Where is Olympic grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Above treeline |
| Range | Olympic Peninsula of Washington, USA |