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)
-Short-horned Grasshoppers and Locusts (Superfamily Acridoidea)
-Short-horned Grasshoppers (Family Acrididae)
-Stridulating Slantface Grasshoppers (Subfamily Gomphocerinae)
-Tribe Melanotettigini
-Genus Melanotettix
-Melanotettix dibelonius
This species has the characteristic strongly slanted face of gomphocerine grasshoppers, giving the head a sharp, wedge-like profile. The body is elongate and narrow, with coloration typically ranging from gray-brown to dark brown, sometimes with faint longitudinal striping along the pronotum and abdomen. As the genus name suggests (Melanotettix = “dark grasshopper”), individuals often appear darker and more somber than many other slant-faced grasshoppers, which helps them blend into dry grasses and soil. Alert and quick to respond, M. dibelonius typically escapes by a short jump followed by direct flight. Males are presumed to use soft stridulatory songs for courtship, as is typical of slant-faced grasshoppers, though these sounds are subtle and rarely noticed by casual observers.
Melanotettix dibelonius
Description
Melanotettix dibelonius is a short-horned grasshopper in the family Acrididae and subfamily Oedipodinae. It is a relatively small, slender grasshopper with short antennae, well-developed hind legs, and wings suited to short flights. Its body is generally brown, grey, or subdued greenish in colour, providing camouflage among dry vegetation and bare ground.
Range
Melanotettix dibelonius occurs in Mexico and is associated with the Pacific side of the country, including Guerrero. It may be encountered around Zihuatanejo in suitable dry, open habitats.
Habitat
It is associated with sunny, relatively dry environments such as tropical dry forest, scrub, grassland, savanna, clearings, and disturbed areas with sparse vegetation. Individuals typically remain close to the ground among grasses and low plants.
Diet
Melanotettix dibelonius is primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses and other low-growing vegetation. It likely consumes a variety of leaves and other green plant material available within its habitat.