Sigaus crassicauda
Sigaus crassicauda is a species of alpine grasshopper endemic to New Zealand. Like all of New Zealand sub-alpine and alpine grasshoppers S. crassicauda has a 2 or 3 years life cycle. The eggs must ‘overwinter’ before they will hatch. Grasshoppers are found throughout the year and adult grasshoppers can be found throughout the New Zealand summer between December and April. Sigaus crassicauda cannot fly.
Distribution and habitat
Sigaus crassicauda is only known from West Coast Region and Tasman Region of New Zealand. It can be found as far south as the Right Branch of the Rahu River, Spring Junction and as far north as the Thousand Acres Plateau, Matiri Range. Alpinacris crassicauda prefer alpine tussock grasslands between, however, can be found as low as on the Thousand Acres Plateau, Matiri Range. Climate change is likely to reduce the suitable habitat that this species can occupy by 10 - 60% of its current range.Species description
The wings on S. tumidicauda are micropterous between making this species flightless like most of New Zealand grasshoppers. Male body length ; Female body length.Sigaus crassicauda was described in 1967 by Robert Sidney Bigelow, in the genus Alpinacris'','' with type locality of Lead Hills, Boulder Lake. A male holotype and paratype are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.
Type information
- Bigelow, R.S. 1967: The Grasshoppers of New Zealand, Their Taxonomy and Distribution. University of Canterbury, Christchurch.
- Type locality: Lead Hills, Boulder Lake, Tasman Region.
- Type specimen: Male; 27 October 1963; P. M. & M Johns. Holotype and Paratype are deposited in the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.