Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#371298
Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper - Morsea californica - male

Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper - Morsea californica - Male
Webb Canyon, ~2000 ft. elevation, Los Angeles County, California, USA
August 12, 2009
Size: ~12 mm
Recently, I submitted this post showing what is most likely an immature Morsea californica. From what I can tell, this specimen (which I also rescued from the pool) is probably an adult male. I will let Dave have the final verdict as to whether it is the same species or not, and correct my gender/age determination (if necessary). :-)

On a personal note, this grasshopper was so accommodating and willing to hang out with me while I took endless photos, that I grew quite fond of it. As always though, I eventually placed it safely in some undergrowth, said good-bye and wished it well... These monkey grasshoppers are super awesome and I felt very honored to get to spend some quality one-on-one time with this fine fellow. Hoping very much that I get the opportunity to see some more this year -- ideally NOT floating in the swimming pool. :-)

Oops! Almost forgot -- super extra bonus points if anyone can ID the tiny wasp (?) hitching a ride in this photo.

Images of this individual: tag all
Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper - Morsea californica - male Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper - Morsea californica - male Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper - Morsea californica - male Chaparral Monkey Grasshopper - Morsea californica - male

Great Series Harsi :-)
These are such interesting and "different" grasshoppers...and the detail of your images is really a treat. Love the four-fold head portrait collage...this monkey has an intriguingly sculptured face!

Moved
Moved from Monkey Grasshoppers.

Thanks, Dave! It's great to have your help on these IDs.

Lots of good views to look at
and from what I can see of it, it seems to fit well with Morsea californica. Definitely male, and the shape looks adult to me too.

I am still learning these things myself.

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