Crackling Grasshopper

Trimerotropis verruculata

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
IIORT36020
Common Name: 
Crackling Grasshopper
Scientific Name: 
Trimerotropis verruculata
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Grasshopper
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Insecta
Order: 
Orthoptera
Family: 
Acrididae
Habitat
Conspicuous grasshopper that occurs in dry, open rocky, sandy, or gravelly habitats, including granite balds, alvar (limestone barrens), rivershores, beaches, and recently disturbed open ground (by fire or bulldozing). Takes advantage of burned areas in the rocky parts of the boreal forest which are slow to return to dense forest. Feeds on forbs (Catling 2008).
References: 
R202
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Plains
References: 
R202

Distribution

Moderately common. It is widespread in western North America, extending to the Atlantic coast through Ontario and the Great Lakes. Reference: Catling, P. M. 2008. Grasshoppers and related insects (Ulonata) of the Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT. 77 pp.
Score: 
G
References: 
R202
H293

Number of Occurrences

There are 15 recorded occurrences in the NWT. It is considered frequent in parts of the NWT and common at Norman Wells where it appears to occupy the same niche as the Carolina locust (Dissosteira carolina) in many southern cities. Its occurrence on islands several kilometers from the shore of Great Slave Lake suggests an ability to fly continuously over relatively long distances (Catling 2008, Catling et al. 2018). Reference: (1) Catling, P. M. 2008. Grasshoppers and related insects (Ulonata) of the Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT. 77 pp. (2) Catling et al. 2018. Notable Grasshoppers from an unusual tundra ecosystem, Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada, 37(1): 7.
Score: 
BE
References: 
R202
H293
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C

Intrinsic Vulnerability

In warm weather is more likely to fly to avoid predation than to rely on camouflage (Catling 2008).
Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S3S5
Decision Process Description: 
Draft rank by non-expert (S. Carriere) based on Catling (2008) only (2010). Reviewed by D. Johnson and C. Wiebe in 2024; no change. Reviewed by J. Miskelly in 2017; no change. Reviewed by J. Miskelly in 2023; no change.
Last Updated: 
July 10, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
-

References

Ecozones

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return

Habitat

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return
  • Hebert, Remi (2014) A set of 2 emailes between Suzanna Carriere and Remi Hebert. GS grasshoppers - SG sauterelles & GS grasshoppers NT. e copy - H293 Return

Range Extent

  • Catling, P.M (2008) Grasshoppers and related insects of Northwest Territories and adjacent regions. Gov of the Northwest Territories, Envrionment and Natural Resources 77 pp. - R202 Return
  • Hebert, Remi (2014) A set of 2 emailes between Suzanna Carriere and Remi Hebert. GS grasshoppers - SG sauterelles & GS grasshoppers NT. e copy - H293 Return