Creosote Bush Grasshopper (Ligurotettix coquilletti)

DESCRIPTION: Overall gray to black (matching the color of the creosote bush stems on which they perch).
NATURAL HISTORY: Another common name for this grasshopper is "Desert Clicker" because of the "zit zit" sound the males make from their perch in a creosote bush. Males compete for best positions on best creosote bushes. Females, coming to the best creosote bushes, often select to mate with the male dominating that bush. "Sneaky" males, quietly waiting in the bush, will attempt to mate with incoming females before the dominant male gets the opportunity. See John Alcock's essay titled "Pleasant Memories" in his excellent book Sonoran Desert Summer for more .