Sigaus minutus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sigaus minutus
Conservation status
Invalid status (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Sigaus
Species:	minutus

The Sigaus minutus is a very small and rare type of grasshopper found only in New Zealand. It belongs to a group of grasshoppers called Sigaus, and there are nine different kinds of Sigaus grasshoppers that live only in New Zealand. This tiny grasshopper is special because it's one of the smallest of its kind. Experts who study insects like grasshoppers, called orthopteran experts, have noticed that the number of Sigaus minutus grasshoppers has been going down since 2010.

Where This Grasshopper Lives

The Sigaus minutus grasshopper can only be found in a specific part of the South Island of New Zealand. You might spot it near Lake Tekapo, Lindis Pass, and in the wider Mackenzie District. This grasshopper is a master of disguise! It blends in really well with its surroundings, especially on rocky ground and among small plant-like growths called lichen. It needs open, sunny spots to warm up, so you won't find it in places with lots of thick plants.

What the Sigaus minutus Looks Like

The Sigaus minutus is one of the smallest grasshoppers in the Sigaus family. It looks quite a lot like another grasshopper from Otago called S. childi. Interestingly, its closest relative is an alpine grasshopper named S. campestris, which lives in the mountains of the South Island.

Like most New Zealand grasshoppers, the Sigaus minutus cannot fly because its wings don't work. Its colors can change a bit from one grasshopper to another, but they always help it hide perfectly in its environment. Female Sigaus minutus grasshoppers are bigger than the males.

How Big Are They?

• Adult male:
  • Length: 9–10 millimeters (about the length of a fingernail)
  • Body shield (pronotum) length: 1.6-1.9 millimeters
  • Body shield (pronotum) width: 1.80-2.20 millimeters
  • Leg (femur) length: 4.90-5.60 millimeters
  • Leg (femur) width: 1.60-1.90 millimeters

• Adult female:
  • Length: 14–16 millimeters (a bit longer than a fingernail)
  • Body shield (pronotum) length: 2.50-2.65 millimeters
  • Body shield (pronotum) width: 3.05-3.30 millimeters
  • Leg (femur) length: 7.00-7.20 millimeters
  • Leg (femur) width: 2.10-2.50 millimeters

• Cryptic colour variation in ''Sigaus minutus''
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Behavior and Life Cycle

Just like other grasshoppers in New Zealand, the Sigaus minutus is active during the day. It eats plants and needs open ground to sunbathe and warm up. When adult males and females mate, the smaller male will often stay on the female's back for a long time. After mating, the female lays her eggs in the soil.

Why This Grasshopper Needs Our Help

Many groups of Sigaus minutus grasshoppers live on small, separate areas of private farmland. The way this land is managed, like using it for growing crops or watering it a lot, can unfortunately cause these grasshoppers to disappear.

For example, a study in 1997 looked at 20 different places and found no Sigaus childi or S. minutus grasshoppers on land used for pastures, fruit orchards, or irrigated fields. Research has also shown that grasshoppers like the Sigaus minutus cannot handle bug sprays (insecticides) or weed killers (herbicides). They are also very sensitive to harmful metals and too much fertilizer in the soil. Protecting their natural stony habitats is very important for their survival.