Creosote Grasshopper (Bootettix argentatus)

The creosote grasshopper is an ecological specialist that feeds, shelters, and mates almost exclusively on the creosote bush. This strict dietary preference is why the insect is found primarily in the desert regions of the southwestern United States.

As a species of slant-faced grasshopper, it features a distinct, angled face adapted to its specific plant host. Its coloration generally blends in perfectly with the green and brown stems of the creosote bush to hide it from predators.

You can find this specific grasshopper in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Because it relies entirely on the creosote bush for survival, its habitat is restricted strictly to arid zones where this tough desert shrub grows.

Because it feeds exclusively on creosote bushes, the creosote grasshopper does not pose a threat to agricultural crops or gardens. It has evolved alongside its host plant, and its feeding habits rarely cause lasting damage to the resilient desert ecosystem.