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Grasshoppers of Zihuatanejo

INFRAORDER ACRIDIDEA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids (Order Orthoptera)

-Grasshoppers, Locusts, and Allies (Suborder Caelifera)

-Grasshoppers (Infraorder Acrididea)

-Short-horned Grasshoppers and Locusts (Superfamily Acridoidea)

-Short-horned Grasshoppers (Family Acrididae)

-Spur-throated Grasshoppers (Subfamily Melanoplinae)

-Tribe Melanoplini

-Genus Aidemona

-Aztec Spur-throated Grasshopper (Aidemona azteca)


Aidemona azteca is diurnal and mostly terrestrial, spending much of its time on the ground or low plants. It tends to remain still when approached, relying on camouflage, but can make strong jumps and short flights if disturbed. Like many ommatolampidines, it is not especially vocal; any stridulation is subtle and infrequently noticed. A. azteca is herbivorous, feeding on a variety of grasses and low-growing broad-leaved plants.

Aztec Spur-throated

Aidemona azteca

Description

  • Aidemona azteca is a short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae. Adults are medium-sized and generally robust, with powerful hind legs adapted for jumping, relatively long wings, and a brown, grey, or greenish body that provides camouflage among vegetation. The species belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a diverse group of predominantly plant-eating grasshoppers.

Range

  • Aidemona azteca is a Mexican species associated primarily with western and southern Mexico. It occurs in Guerrero and along the Pacific slope, and may be encountered around Zihuatanejo in suitable grassland, scrub, and forest-edge habitats.

Habitat

  • Adults are associated with warm, open and semi-open habitats, including tropical dry forest, scrub, grassland, woodland edges, agricultural areas, and roadside vegetation. They are usually found among grasses and herbaceous plants, where their subdued colouration provides effective camouflage.

Diet

  • Aidemona azteca is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves and other green plant material. Like other melanopline grasshoppers, it is a generalist feeder and may consume a variety of grasses, herbs, and other plants available within its habitat.

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