White Mountain Grasshopper
Psychomastax inyo
This record describes Psychomastax inyo (species). Recorded family: Eumastacidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Eumastacidae (Monkey Grasshoppers)
- Genus
- Psychomastax
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
known from high elevation in the White Mountains of California; perhaps also adjacent Nevada
Seasonal Activity
adults late summer and autumn
Diet and Behavior
Diet: reported as Gooseberry ( Ribes species)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Psychomastax inyo. 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 White Mountain Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About White Mountain Grasshopper
Where is White Mountain Grasshopper found?
Range: known from high elevation in the White Mountains of California; perhaps also adjacent Nevada
What does White Mountain Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the White Mountain Grasshopper includes reported as Gooseberry ( Ribes species).
When is White Mountain Grasshopper active?
White Mountain Grasshopper: seasonal activity - adults late summer and autumn.