Species

BackOedipoda canariensis Krauss, 1892

Oedipoda canariensis Krauss, 1892

Canarian Band-Winged Grasshopper

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Family: Acrididae
LC Least Concern
IUCN Red List Status:

Countries of Occurrence:
Spain - Canaries

Archipelago(s):
Canaries

Assessor/s:
Hochkirch, A.

Reviewer/s:
Odé, B. & García, M.

Contributor/s:

Facilitators / Compilers/s:


Assessment Rationale:

The Canarian Band-Winged Grasshopper is widespread on the Canary Islands. It occurs only at lower elevations and needs semi-open vegetation. Its habitats are locally affected by touristic development and other types of land use changes of the coastal region, but due to its large range size it is probably not at risk. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern (LC). However, further research on its taxonomy, population size and trend and threats is needed.

Geographic Range:

The Canarian Band-Winged Grasshopper is endemic to the Canary Islands (Spain), where it occurs on nearly all islands, except for Lanzarote (Holzapfel 1970, Gangwere et al. 1972, Bland et al. 1996). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is c. 26,000 km², whereas its area of occupancy is between 500 and 2,000 km².

Regions:
Spain - Canaries
Extent of Occurrence (EOO):
26000 (km2)
Area of Occupancy (AOO):
500-2000 (km2)
Elevation Lower Limit:
(m)
Elevation Upper Limit:
1700 (m)
Biogeographic Realms:
Paleartic
Presence:
Extant
Origin:
Endemic Canaries
Seasonality:
Resident

Population:

There is no information available on the population size of the species, although it is generally common. The population trend is unknown.

Habitat and Ecology

The species occurs mainly in dry areas with sparse vegetation at lower altitudes, such as rocky areas or open dwarf shrub vegetation.

Major Threat(s):

The species might be locally affected by touristic and industrial development at the coastal areas of the Canary Islands. It may also be affected by volcanism and land slides.

Conservation Actions

No specific conservation action is in place for this species, but it occurs in several protected areas throughout its range. Research on its taxonomy is needed as there is first evidence from a molecular study suggesting that unique species may occur on some islands. This may affect its conservation status, as the species is common on Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera, but rare on La Palma and Fuerteventura. Further research on its distribution, population size and trend and threats is also needed.