Homer grasshopper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Homer grasshopper |
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| A male Sigaus homerensis | |
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Hutton, 1897
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| Species: |
S. homerensis
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| Sigaus homerensis Morris, 2003
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| The distribution of S. homerensis in New Zealand | |
The Homer grasshopper, officially named Sigaus homerensis, is a unique insect. It lives only in the southern part of New Zealand's South Island. You can find it in just three small, separate areas in a region called Fiordland. This makes it an endemic species, meaning it's found nowhere else in the world.
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Where the Homer Grasshopper Lives
The Homer grasshopper lives in a special environment. It's found only in the Earl Mountains in Fiordland, New Zealand. This grasshopper doesn't share its home with other grasshopper species. It's one of three unique alpine grasshoppers in Fiordland. Alpine means they live in high, mountainous areas.
These grasshoppers live in places often cleared by avalanches. Avalanches sweep away tall plants. This leaves open, less vegetated areas. Even though similar terrain exists nearby, the Homer grasshopper isn't found there. This might be because of the avalanches, plant height, and sunshine.
Fiordland gets a lot of rain, about 8000 millimeters (315 inches) each year. It also has the lowest sunshine hours in New Zealand. It seems these small, cleared areas are better for the Homer grasshopper. They prefer these spots over avalanche-free areas with taller plants. New Zealand grasshoppers need to bask in the sun to become active. The Homer grasshopper usually lives between 900 and 1000 meters (2,950 to 3,280 feet) high. But it can be found as low as 639 meters (2,096 feet) and as high as 1,257 meters (4,124 feet).
What the Homer Grasshopper Looks Like
The Homer grasshopper has very small wings, only 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) long. This means it cannot fly, just like most other New Zealand grasshoppers.
Male Homer grasshoppers are about 19 to 21 millimeters (0.75 to 0.83 inches) long. Female grasshoppers are larger, measuring about 28 to 38 millimeters (1.1 to 1.5 inches) in length.
Different Colors
Adult Homer grasshoppers come in two main colors. About two-thirds of them are a 'Drab gold' color. The other third are a 'Dark blue-grey'. This difference in color within the same species is called polymorphism.
Images for kids
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An overview of the Homer grasshopper's habitat.
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A close-up view of the Homer grasshopper's habitat.
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A Homer grasshopper with the 'Drab gold' color.
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A Homer grasshopper with the 'Dark blue-grey' color.
