#phaulacridium

[drhoz]

#2423 - Phaulacridium marginale - New Zealand Grasshopper

A short-horned grasshopper endemic to New Zealand and adjacent islands, where it is common in open areas usually at lower elevations. It comes in two colour forms - striped and unstriped.

The other species in the genus are found in Australia, Lord Howe Island, and elsewhere in New Zealand.

Mangorei, Taranaki, New Zealand

[drhoz]

#539 - Wingless Grasshopper

 Phaulacridium vittatum. Why is is called Wingless when it quite clearly isn't? Because it comes in two morphological forms - one with tiny wings useless for flight, and this form. It also comes in 5 different grey and brown colour forms, which doesn't help.

Adult Description: Colour variable, ranging from dark grey to brown but never green. Five colour-pattern forms exist; about 6% of adults of both sexes have a distinct white lateral body stripe. The thighs (femora) of the hind (jumping) legs have a distinct black mark mid way along their length. Wingless grasshoppers are slender in appearance; their thoraxes are straight in profile while those of Australian plague locust and Austroicetes are typically saddle-shape in profile. Wingless grasshoppers have a flat, pointed peg on their throats; Australian plague locust and Austroicetes do not have pegs on their throats.

Unique features: There are two morphological forms (morphs) of this species. The short wing characteristic gave rise to the common name Wingless grasshopper. Approximately 60% of adults have short wings (and are unable to fly; a condition also known as brachypterous) and a variable proportion of adults have long wings (and are able to fly; a condition known as macropterous).