Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Acrididae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Orthoptera Genus Phaulacridium | |
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Phaulacridium otagoense is an endemic New Zealand grasshopper found in low altitudes throughout the central South Island (Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago).
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Distribution and habitat
The New Zealand P. otagoense is found on very dry slopes & riverbeds between the altitude of 140 metres (460 ft) on the Earncleugh Historic Tailings Reserve (45°14′08″S 169°21′17″E) and 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) on the Benmore Range (44°24′11″S 170°06′35″E). The most southern known location is found at Lake Roxburgh (45°28′45″S 169°19′04″E) and the most northern known location is found on the Richmond Range (43°51′35″S 170°39′00″E).
Species description
The wings on P. otagoense are micropterous (small wings) between 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. However, unlikely Phaulacridium marginale no fully winged adults have ever been found.
Male body length 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in); Female body length 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in).