About Arcyptera fusca (Pallas, 1773)
The scientific name of this species is Arcyptera fusca (Pallas, 1773). Adult males of Arcyptera fusca reach a body length of 22–35 millimetres (0.87–1.38 in), while adult females reach 29–44 millimetres (1.1–1.7 in). These are medium-sized grasshoppers that show significant sexual dimorphism. Males have fully developed functional wings that measure 20–27.3 millimetres (0.79–1.07 in) and cover the abdomen. Females have rudimentary wings that measure 12.3–20.1 millimetres (0.48–0.79 in), which are shorter than the abdomen and unsuitable for flight, a trait called brachyptery. The species’ basic body color is ocher or yellow-green, with dark markings. Its hind tibiae have a characteristic bright red color that extends to the inner face of the femora, and the knees are black, framed by a white band. Arcyptera fusca is native to the steppes of Central Asia. It is currently found across most of Europe, the eastern Palearctic realm, and the Near East, including the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Carpathians, the Caucasus, and Siberia. This grasshopper lives in alpine dry meadows, glades, heath, mountain pastures, and grasslands, at elevations up to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level.
