Acrididae

Sigaus villosus Paprides New Zealand grasshoppers Sigaus australis New Zealand grasshopper

Short horn Grasshoppers

We provide species distributions maps that use the New Zealand entomological districts as their template. A region is filled if the taxon in question is known to have been found there. However, this does not exclude the possibility that the taxon occurs in other regions, nor does it mean that the taxon is found throughout the indicated region. Available locality data are plotted as spots.

More information on New Zealand grasshoppers.

Click on a genus name below to find information on species grouped by former genus classification
This information is drawn from original species descriptions, Bigelow 1967, Department of Conservation Tenure Review documents and additional field observations. Distribution maps indicate known sample location in the context of the recognised entomological areas of New Zealand. Details of higher level taxonomy are available via the Orthoptera Species File.

Genus	Distribution	Remarks
Sigaus	North Island, South Island	NZ endemic genus with 13 species

Locusta migratoria	North Island, South Island	A global species native in New Zealand
Phaulacridium	North Island, South Island	An Australasian genus, with two endemic species in NZ

Identifying New Zealand grasshoppers to species can be difficult. At most locations at least two species occur together (in sympatry). Variation in shape and size between males and females, juveniles (there are 5 or 6 instars) and adults, adds to confusion. Often the least informative of traits for identification are the most apparent, namely colouring and patterning. Many species are highly polymorphic in terms of colour with variation with many variants of the same species visible in the same population .

Identification can be simplified by reducing the number of plausible species for a location using the distribution maps. Then, confirm whether you have adult or juvenile by seeing if the tegmina (fore wings) overlap and obscure the hind wings; if they do you have an adult. Note that all species of the endemic New Zealand grasshopper genera have reduced wings; a short tab extending a little beyond the thorax.

The abdomen of adult females terminates in a short ovipositor consisting of four stout, pointed valves, the dorsal pair are larger and more prominent from above than the others. Adult males have a stumpier bodies; shorter and less tapered than females. The male abdomen usually has a rounded subgenital plate with a prominent flat 'lid' (epiproct) visible from the dorsal side. The outline of this epiproct is helpful for species identification (but only the males). The other structure that is helpful for identifcation of both sexes is the pronotum (the shield that covers the sides and top of the thorax).