Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper
Paropomala virgata
This record describes Paropomala virgata (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Light green, gray, brown or combinations of these. With dark band narrower than eye extending back from upper part of eye across upper sides of pronotum and onto folded wings. Very slender with short front and middle legs, and with mouth situated well behind eyes. With low pointed prominence on prosternum. With both wings and hind femora usually reaching past tip of abdomen (occasionally abdomen close to equaling them in heavily egg laden females). Without prominent rear-facing spines on end of knee of hind femora (though angles seen there could perhaps be interpreted as very short or inconspicuous spines). With male subgenital plate short, very roughly about the same as individual abdominal segments in length (much longer in some related and similar species).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Paropomala
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Short grasslands, where bunch grasses are favored.
Geographic Range
North-central Mexico north through west Texas and New Mexico into Colorado.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Grasses
Life History
Overwinters as eggs, with adults from late spring into autumn.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Paropomala virgata. 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 Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper
What is Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper?
Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper (Paropomala virgata) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper?
15-21 mm males 20-30 mm females
How do you identify Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper?
Light green, gray, brown or combinations of these. With dark band narrower than eye extending back from upper part of eye across upper sides of pronotum and onto folded wings. Very slender with short front and middle legs, and with mouth situated well behind eyes. With low pointed prominence on prosternum. With both wings and hind femora usually reaching past tip of abdomen (occasionally abdomen close to equaling them in heavily egg laden females). Without prominent rear-facing spines on end of knee of hind femora (though angles seen there could perhaps be interpreted as very short or inconspicuous spines). With male subgenital plate short, very roughly about the same as individual abdominal segments in length (much longer in some related and similar species).
Where is Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Short grasslands, where bunch grasses are favored. |
| Range | North-central Mexico north through west Texas and New Mexico into Colorado. |
What does Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper includes Grasses.
What is the life cycle of a Virgata Toothpick Grasshopper?
Overwinters as eggs, with adults from late spring into autumn.