Obscure Grasshopper
Opeia obscura
This record describes Opeia obscura (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Eritettix simplex . O. obscura is usually found as nymphs in spring and adults in summer and fall, while E. simplex is found as nymphs in fall and adults in spring. O. obscura has the margins of the top of the pronotum nearly straight and parallel, while E. simplex has them bowed in so the sides appear closer together in the middle (but in some E. simplex with broad dark postoccular bands, the sides of the top may be nearly parallel). O. obscura has narrowly ensiform (sword-shaped) antennae, while in most regions E. simplex has them somewhat thickened toward the tip. In the Southwest the seasonal and antenna differences may not hold for E. simplex , and some specimens are very difficult to distinguish except by comparing with others of their population found in the same place at the same time. Both species are highly variable in pattern and color, but the range of variation in each is similar. So, it is common to find individuals of the two species that look more alike in coloring than they look like others of their own kind. It is important when trying to identify these to look at structure in addition to coloration.
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
Grasslands
Geographic Range
Western United States, Mexico (north of tropics), and southern Prairie provinces in Canada. Apparently not recorded from Oregon, Washington, or Baja California.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Assorted Grasses
Life History
In most regions overwinters as eggs, hatches in spring and matures late spring or summer; with some adults living until frost in autumn. In southern Arizona and Sonora adults appear as early as late March, and there may be overwintering nymphs as well as more than one brood (details need more study).
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Opeia obscura. 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 Obscure Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Obscure Grasshopper
What is Obscure Grasshopper?
Obscure Grasshopper (Opeia obscura) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Obscure Grasshopper?
Very similar to Eritettix simplex . O. obscura is usually found as nymphs in spring and adults in summer and fall, while E. simplex is found as nymphs in fall and adults in spring. O. obscura has the margins of the top of the pronotum nearly straight and parallel, while E. simplex has them bowed in so the sides appear closer together in the middle (but in some E. simplex with broad dark postoccular bands, the sides of the top may be nearly parallel). O. obscura has narrowly ensiform (sword-shaped) antennae, while in most regions E. simplex has them somewhat thickened toward the tip. In the Southwest the seasonal and antenna differences may not hold for E. simplex , and some specimens are very difficult to distinguish except by comparing with others of their population found in the same place at the same time. Both species are highly variable in pattern and color, but the range of variation in each is similar. So, it is common to find individuals of the two species that look more alike in coloring than they look like others of their own kind. It is important when trying to identify these to look at structure in addition to coloration.
Where is Obscure Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grasslands |
| Range | Western United States, Mexico (north of tropics), and southern Prairie provinces in Canada. Apparently not recorded from Oregon, Washington, or Baja California. |
What does Obscure Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Obscure Grasshopper includes Assorted Grasses.
What is the life cycle of a Obscure Grasshopper?
In most regions overwinters as eggs, hatches in spring and matures late spring or summer; with some adults living until frost in autumn. In southern Arizona and Sonora adults appear as early as late March, and there may be overwintering nymphs as well as more than one brood (details need more study).