Australian Orthopteroids
GrasshoppersBlistered Pyrgomorph Coryphistes sp Giant Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis) Leichardt’s Grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera) Macrotona Queensland Spotted Pyrgomorph (Greyacris profundesulcata)
The Leichardt’s Grasshoppers (Petasida ephippigera) are a colourful and iconic insect that are found in Kakadu in the top end of the Northern Territory and named after the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who was the second European to record this grasshopper in 1845 in an region that would later become part of the Kakadu National Park.
A special sight that can only be seen this time of year are the amazing Leichardt’s Grasshoppers in Kakadu. I got these shots a couple of days ago. They’re known as Alyurr or “lightning children” by the local aboriginal people as they are around in the early wet season with the storms.
Source: Paul Thomsen, WILDFOTO Nature Tours1
The Leichhardt’s Grasshopper are found in the remote sandstone areas where Pityrodia shrubs (also known as Foxgloves shrubs) grow, providing the main food source for both the Leichhardt’s Grasshopper adults and nymphs. The Leichhardt’s grasshopper are seen in the Kakadu National Park and also occurs in the Nitmiluk and Keep River National Parks.
Images © Paul Thomsen
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Informal: Pterygotes
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Caelifera
- Superfamily: Acridoidea
- Family: Pyrgomorphidae
- Subfamily: Pyrgomorphinae
- Tribe: Petasidini
- Genus: Petasida
- Species: Petasida ephippigera
Footnote & References
- Leichardt’s Grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera), Kakadu NT © Paul Thomsen, WILDFOTO Nature Tours, E: paul@wildfoto.com.au, https://images.wildfoto.com.au
GrasshoppersBlistered Pyrgomorph Coryphistes sp Giant Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis) Leichardt’s Grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera) Macrotona Queensland Spotted Pyrgomorph (Greyacris profundesulcata)
OrthopteraAustralian Orthopteroid Index Garden Mantis Grasshoppers Blistered Pyrgomorph Coryphistes sp Giant Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis) Leichardt’s Grasshopper (Petasida ephippigera) Macrotona Queensland Spotted Pyrgomorph (Greyacris profundesulcata) Katydids (family Tettigoniidae) Phaneropterinae Psedna nana (Variable Psedna Grasshopper) Toadhopper (Buforania crassa)
InsectsInsects Life Cycle… Bees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Mantodea Moths Neuroptera Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub
