Great Crested Grasshopper
Tropidolophus formosus
This record describes Tropidolophus formosus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
High pronotal crest with serrations and orange hind wings separates this sp. from others (Ball et al., 1942) Nymph Unlike most Oedipodinae, lives primarily on vegetation that it matches closely in color
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Oedipodinae
- Tribe
- Trimerotropini
- Genus
- Tropidolophus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry low-elevation grasslands and desert grasslands
Geographic Range
AZ-TX-KS-WY; Mexico
Seasonal Activity
Adults June to August, overwinters as an egg. Nymphs May to June (Ball et al., 1942)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Feeds on low-growing Malvaceae shrubs such as Malvastrum and Sphaeralcea (Ball et al., 1942)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tropidolophus formosus (Say 1825)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Tropidolophus formosus. 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 Great Crested Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , David Ferguson , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Crested Grasshopper
What is Great Crested Grasshopper?
Great Crested Grasshopper (Tropidolophus formosus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Great Crested Grasshopper?
High pronotal crest with serrations and orange hind wings separates this sp. from others (Ball et al., 1942) Nymph
Where is Great Crested Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry low-elevation grasslands and desert grasslands |
| Range | AZ-TX-KS-WY; Mexico |
What does Great Crested Grasshopper eat?
The diet of the Great Crested Grasshopper includes Feeds on low-growing Malvaceae shrubs such as Malvastrum and Sphaeralcea (Ball et al., 1942).
When is Great Crested Grasshopper active?
Great Crested Grasshopper: seasonal activity - Adults June to August, overwinters as an egg. Nymphs May to June (Ball et al., 1942).