Species Lactista gibbosa - Trailside Grasshopper

Similar to Arphia, but averages smaller and narrower of build, with wings always yellow (often orange or red in sympatric Arphia), hind tibiae blue (sometimes not in Arphia, and forewings are usually more noticeably cross-banded than in Arphia. There are often noticeable diagonal lines near the rear of the lateral lobes of the pronotum that are usually not so obvious (or are lacking) in Arphia. This species may buzz in flight, but it is a fainter high pitched sound than in any Arphia. The fastigium (on top of head between front of eyes) is narrower and much more deeply concave than in Arphia.

Lactista azteca overlaps distribution in southern Arizona and northern Sonora. It is generally smaller, stocker of build, with the the pronotum more prominently narrowed from rear to front (as seen from above). The strong narrow dark stripe that usually crosses hind femur and tegmina so prominently in L. azteca is usually not well developed, or at least not noticeably darker than other dark markings in L. gibbosa.

Central California and southern & western Arizona, southward into northern Sonoran and through the length of Baja California in Mexico. Probably occurs in southern Nevada, but needs verification there.

Varied sunny exposed places, most often gravelly to rocky. Sometimes common in disturbed areas such as road cuts.

Year-round, apparently in multiple broods, but often most abundant in spring.

Arphia ramona

Please see here to read David Ferguson's enlightening commentary on these similar species.

Nomina-Nearctica