Rosemary Grasshopper
Schistocerca ceratiola
This record describes Schistocerca ceratiola (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The smallest Schistocerca species. Eyes bulging, long antennae, narrow forewings. Distinctive color pattern that matches its hostplant. Nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on its hostplant. Very reluctant to leave Ceratiola bushes and will try to return if frightened into other vegetation.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Cyrtacanthacridinae
- Genus
- Schistocerca (Bird Grasshoppers)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
sand scrub
Geographic Range
Endemic to central FL - recorded from Alachua, Clay, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Levy, Martin, Orange, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia Counties. Its host plant has a considerably larger distribution (coastal Louisiana, to sandhills and coast of South Carolina, south through Florida), and it is possible the grasshopper will turn up in additional areas.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Specialist feeder on Ceratiola ericoides Michx. - 'Florida Rosemary' or 'Sand Heath' (Ericaceae)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Schistocerca ceratiola. 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 Rosemary Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Rosemary Grasshopper
What is Rosemary Grasshopper?
Rosemary Grasshopper (Schistocerca ceratiola) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Rosemary Grasshopper?
The smallest Schistocerca species. Eyes bulging, long antennae, narrow forewings. Distinctive color pattern that matches its hostplant.
Where is Rosemary Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | sand scrub |
| Range | Endemic to central FL - recorded from Alachua, Clay, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Levy, Martin, Orange, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia Counties. Its host plant has a considerably larger distribution (coastal Louisiana, to sandhills and coast of South Carolina, south through Florida), and it is possible the grasshopper will turn up in additional areas. |
What does Rosemary Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Rosemary Grasshopper includes Specialist feeder on Ceratiola ericoides Michx. - 'Florida Rosemary' or 'Sand Heath' (Ericaceae).