Keyacris scurra (Key's Matchstick Grasshopper)
This rare and unusual grasshopper is flightless, and unlike most grasshoppers it is active during the winter.
Key's Matchstick Grasshopper is listed as ‘Endangered’ in Australia under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and under ACT, NSW and VIC legislation.
SPRAT profile: https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=89739
It is also listed as an endangered species in NSW and a recovery program is being enacted. We would appreciate any records.
"Grasshoppers lay their eggs in pods inserted into the soil. Most species hatch in spring, the immatures (nymphs) passing through several moults to mature in summer. Key’s Matchstick is unusual in that the eggs hatch in late summer or autumn. Males mature quickly, becoming adults by May, but females continue through the winter as nymphs, maturing in spring. Mating takes place in spring and early summer, followed by egg laying, then the adults die. Thus they avoid the desiccating summer conditions altogether. There is one generation per year.” Quote from the Friends of Grasslands newsletter of Nov-Dec 2000, author Kim Pullen.
Keyacris scurra is listed in the following regions:
Canberra & Southern Tablelands | Southern Highlands | South Coast
No sightings currently exist.
Species information
- Keyacris scurra Scientific name
- Key's Matchstick Grasshopper Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Endangered *
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1219m Recorded at altitude
- Machine learning
- External link More information
Location information
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Maps
Back Creek TSR Goulburn Mulwaree Council Gundary TSR Gunning Bush Block Hall Horse Paddocks Kosciuszko National Park Rock Valley, Tidbinbilla Six Mile TSR Sweeney's TSR Tuggeranong Hill -
Places
Bungendore, NSW Bungonia, NSW Conder, ACT Currawang, NSW Dalton, NSW Gundary, NSW Gunning, NSW Hall, ACT Lake George, NSW Manar, NSW Mount Fairy, NSW Nungar, NSW Royalla, NSW Tarago, NSW Throsby, ACT
