| Sigaus australis (Bigelow, 1967) |
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Scientific name: Sigaus australis (Bigelow, 1967) Common name: French name: Order: Orthoptera Family: Acrididae Wingspan : Large size, about 26 mm for females. As with all Acrididae, males are smaller. Biotope: High altitude meadows. Geographic area: Endemic to the southern half of South Island of New Zealand. Observation period : The life cycle lasts 2 to 3 years. Sigaus australis can survive intense cold and can therefore be observed all year round. |
Sigaus australis is very cryptic, with colour variations in green or brownish tones that blend in with the surrounding vegetation. It is a micropterous species with very short wings and tegmina of 2 to 4 mm that do not allow it to fly. It is also a silent species. These characteristics are shared by all 13 species of the genus. The posterior edge of the pronotum has a regular, non-sinuous curve. It has a notch in its middle. The first two transverse furrows of the pronotum are missing. It appears smooth on the anterior two-thirds. It is generally found above 1400 meters above sea level. Sigaus australis is actually a complex of several species (I have read 7 species, Sigaus australis, Sigaus obelisci and 5 species not yet described). |
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This observation was made during the hike to Ben Lomond Summit, before reaching the summit at around 1200 meters above sea level. |
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I didn't see many insects compared to the high altitude meadows of the European Alps. Is this due to the conditions of the day (which seemed good to me) or is this a generality? |
André Bon September 2024