More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Grasshoppers of Zihuatanejo
INFRAORDER ACRIDIDEA
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)
-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)
-Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids (Order Orthoptera)
-Grasshoppers, Locusts, and Allies (Suborder Caelifera)
-Grasshoppers (Infraorder Acrididea)
-Bird Grasshoppers (Superfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae)
-Short-horned Grasshoppers (Family Acrididae)
-Bird Grasshoppers (Subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae)
-Tribe Cyrtacanthacridini
-Bird Grasshoppers (Genus Schistocerca)
-Schistocerca camerata
The Gray Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens) is a large, powerful flyer widely distributed across Mexico, from the arid northern deserts to the tropical southern lowlands. It is characterized by its mottled grey-brown coloration, which provides excellent camouflage against the bark of trees and shrubs where it frequently perches. It is a generalist herbivore with a broad diet, feeding on the foliage of diverse plants including citrus, hibiscus, and various ornamental trees.
Schistocerca Bird Grasshoppers
Schistocerca (Genus)
Description
Schistocerca is a large and diverse genus of bird grasshoppers in the family Acrididae and subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae. Species are generally medium to large, robust grasshoppers with long, powerful hind legs, well-developed wings, and relatively long bodies. Colouration varies widely, commonly including grey, brown, green, and yellowish tones, often with longitudinal stripes or mottled patterns. Most species are solitary, although several can undergo density-dependent changes and form migratory or swarming populations.
Range
Schistocerca is primarily a New World genus, with species distributed throughout North, Central, and South America. Several species occur in Mexico, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.
Habitat
Species occupy a wide range of warm terrestrial habitats, including tropical dry forest, scrub, grassland, savanna, woodland, forest edges, agricultural areas, and disturbed vegetation. Many species spend considerable time in shrubs and trees as well as among low vegetation, while others are more closely associated with open ground and grasses.
Diet
Schistocerca species are primarily herbivorous and feed on a broad variety of grasses, herbs, shrubs, and woody plants. Many are generalist feeders, with some species readily consuming foliage of trees, fruit plants, crops, and ornamental vegetation.