Atascosa Grasshopper
Opeia atascosa
This record describes Opeia atascosa (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to O. obscura , but more slender with face more strongly slanting; wings shorter than in most O. obscura .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Opeia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mountain grasslands.
Geographic Range
se. Arizona (Santa Cruz County) to Michoacan, Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Adults reported from July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Probably grasses
Life History
Probably overwinters as eggs, hatching with summer rains, and adults maturing in summer.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Opeia atascosa. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atascosa Grasshopper
What is Atascosa Grasshopper?
Atascosa Grasshopper (Opeia atascosa) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Atascosa Grasshopper?
Similar to O. obscura , but more slender with face more strongly slanting; wings shorter than in most O. obscura .
Where is Atascosa Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mountain grasslands. |
| Range | se. Arizona (Santa Cruz County) to Michoacan, Mexico. |
What does Atascosa Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Atascosa Grasshopper includes Probably grasses.
When is Atascosa Grasshopper active?
Atascosa Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults reported from July to September..
What is the life cycle of a Atascosa Grasshopper?
Probably overwinters as eggs, hatching with summer rains, and adults maturing in summer.