Topanga Grasshopper
Trimerotropis topanga
This record describes Trimerotropis topanga (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Most like T. bifasciata , except with color pattern more varied; slightly more slender with head averaging smaller; with top of abdomen usually dark and often distinctly blue; often, but not always with a small projection or a tooth at lower hind angle of lateral lobes of pronotum. T. inyo is very similar, but occurs further north along the east side of the Sierra Nevada. Until described as a distinct species, specimens with the tooth on the lateral lobes of the pronotum were generally treated as a color variant of Trimerotropis californica ; however, they are quite distinct from that species. The closest kinship of T. topanga seems to be with T. inconspicua and T. bifasciata , which it replaces to the south.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Trimerotropis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly in mountains on gravelly areas and sunny slopes; often gathers on dirt and gravel roads.
Geographic Range
Southern California south from Transverse Ranges and west of deserts, southward into Baja California.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Overwinters as eggs; adults late spring to early November or first freezes.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Trimerotropis topanga. 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 Topanga Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Topanga Grasshopper
What is Topanga Grasshopper?
Topanga Grasshopper (Trimerotropis topanga) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Topanga Grasshopper?
Most like T. bifasciata , except with color pattern more varied; slightly more slender with head averaging smaller; with top of abdomen usually dark and often distinctly blue; often, but not always with a small projection or a tooth at lower hind angle of lateral lobes of pronotum. T. inyo is very similar, but occurs further north along the east side of the Sierra Nevada.
Where is Topanga Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly in mountains on gravelly areas and sunny slopes; often gathers on dirt and gravel roads. |
| Range | Southern California south from Transverse Ranges and west of deserts, southward into Baja California. |
What is the life cycle of a Topanga Grasshopper?
Overwinters as eggs; adults late spring to early November or first freezes.