Sigaus australis

Sigaus australis

''Sigaus australis'' is the most common alpine grasshopper found in New Zealand. It can be found in the lower half of the South Island, from the Otago and Canterbury Region. ''S. australis'' was described in 1897 by Frederick Wollaston Hutton. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers ''S. australis'' has a 2 or 3 years life cycle. The eggs must ‘overwinter’ before they will hatch. Hoppers are found throughout the year, and adult grasshoppers can be found throughout the New Zealand summer between December and April. The adult ''S. australis'' do not overwinter. The genus ''Sigaus'' is endemic to New Zealand.
Sigaus australis (Acrididae) Alta Lake, the Remarkables, New Zealand. Jan 5, 2017. Geotagged,New Zealand,Sigaus australis,Summer

Appearance

The wings on ''S. australis'' are micropterous between 2–4 millimetres making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. ''Sigaus australis'' is highly crypsis, there is no polymorphism within this species. They will match the surrounding vegetation with colours of earth tones.

Naming

The wings on ''S. australis'' are micropterous between 2–4 millimetres making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. ''Sigaus australis'' is highly crypsis, there is no polymorphism within this species. They will match the surrounding vegetation with colours of earth tones.

Distribution

''Sigaus australis'' can be found in the lower half of the South Island, from Otago and Canterbury regions. It can be found as far south as the Kawarau River and as far north as the Torless Range . ''Sigaus australis'' prefer tussock grasslands between 1,300–1,700 metres in altitude, however, can be found as low as 200 metres on the Alexandra Tailings, and as high as 2,000 metres on Smite Peak .

Habitat

''Sigaus australis'' can be found in the lower half of the South Island, from Otago and Canterbury regions. It can be found as far south as the Kawarau River and as far north as the Torless Range . ''Sigaus australis'' prefer tussock grasslands between 1,300–1,700 metres in altitude, however, can be found as low as 200 metres on the Alexandra Tailings, and as high as 2,000 metres on Smite Peak .

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderOrthoptera
FamilyAcrididae
GenusSigaus
SpeciesS. australis
Photographed in
New Zealand