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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids (Orthoptera) » Grasshoppers (Caelifera) » Lubber Grasshoppers (Romaleidae) » Dragon Lubbers (Dracotettix) » Dracotettix monstrosus
Photo#255114
Dinohopper - Dracotettix monstrosus
Copyright © 2008 Ken-ichi Ueda

Dinohopper - Dracotettix monstrosus
Sibley Volcanic Preserve, Orinda, Alameda County, California, USA
June 22, 2008
Size: ~5 cm
I found this grasshopper ... in the grass, doing not very much. I know this picture doesn't show much, but I'd certainly appreciate a family if someone can get that far.
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Contributed by Ken-ichi Ueda on 24 February, 2009 - 9:17pm
Last updated 24 February, 2009 - 10:35pm

Dracotettix monstrosus
It's a female. Interestingly, you weren't far off on the common name. It is often called "Dragon Lubber [Grasshopper]".
… David J. Ferguson, 24 February, 2009 - 9:46pm login or register to post comments

 
Fantastic name! What are the
Fantastic name! What are the features visible in this photo that led you to this ID? I'd like to know what to look for next time I encounter such a beast.
… Ken-ichi Ueda, 24 February, 2009 - 9:49pm login or register to post comments

 
This one is particularly distinctive
The shape of the head and the crest on the pronotum (saddle-like area behind head) are pretty singularly distinctive, plus the wings are short, which together makes it one of the easier grasshoppes to recognize, and a pretty distinctive one at that. It's the only species that looks similar that is found in most of the well-populated parts of California (for that matter there are only a few species that look similar anywhere in the world!). There is another similar more inland species found in desert areas in California, and there are relatives in Baja Calfifornia too. The photos on BugGuide show both the males (smaller) and the females pretty well.
… David J. Ferguson, 25 February, 2009 - 12:21pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks! I'll keep an eye out
Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for them next time I'm in the scrub.
… Ken-ichi Ueda, 26 February, 2009 - 12:07am login or register to post comments

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