Katherine, NT

Hello NatureMaprs!Three new priority species lists of exotic freshwater and terrestrial invertebrates, and vertebrates in the ACT have been added to NatureMapr. Uploading records of these species to N...

@RogerF so interesting, but much like so many other inverts, there’s always so many undescribed and so often unable to be determined without rearing juveniles/nymphs/larvae through to their adult form…. There is still so much to learn out there isn’t there🙃

Hi Di,

There are more undescribed species of grasshopper (Acrididae + Eumastacidae) than described (including 2 Austracris) and probably many more to be discovered, especially in the tropics, as well as 6 described species of Valanga plus V. irregularis. I know nothing about the nymphs of these others. The only way to connect nymphs to adults is by breeding in the lab. The unusual pink hind wing buds of 4643981are also a puzzle: does the adult have pinkish hind wings. Searching through iNat could be worthwhile.

Thanks so much @RogerF😊😊What you’ve explained in your comment was pretty much where I was at too & I’ve only ever recorded personal one for Valanga so wasn’t 100% on either. If you’re definitely happy with Austracris I will leave it as we have it💚

Hi Di, My comment on your original query that I posted yesterday seems to have disappeared into the ether. So here is another go!
Grasshopper nymphs are often notoriously difficult to ID because of variations in colour and patterns that vary between instars. I have had another look at the pictures in Rentz's book and agree that the lack of vertical stripes on the hind femur is more indicative of Austracris than Valanga. However, the urban sighting on garden bushes is more suggestive of Valanga than Austracris that is more of a grassland species. I should add that I am well outside the breeding range of these species and have rarely seen the nymphs in the field and am not aware of any other distinguishing features. Both species are very abundant and co-exist throughout tropical and sub tropical Australia

@HelenCross would you mind if I shared your photos to one of the entomology groups I’m in so I can Tag one of the guys who is an entomologist? I’m not 100% on the keys identifiers for either Valanga or Austracris (I merely queried Valanga because of past history with being incorrect). I would like to be certain this is going through to ALA from NatureMapr under the correct one.