Bug FAQSigaus nivalis
Sigaus nivalis · Order: Orthoptera · Family: Acrididae
Adults are 15 to 24 mm (males) or 16 to 40 mm (females) long, smaller than S. robustus, and show cryptic grey or grey-brown mottled colouration that matches the rocks. It feeds mainly on plant floral parts, occasionally eating other arthropods, and can live up to about 22 months (males) or 26 months (females).
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
It shows cryptic colours that match rocks, either plain grey or grey with brown mottling.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Males are 15 to 24 mm long and females 16 to 40 mm long. It is generally smaller than the related S. robustus.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives in rocky alpine areas with scattered plants and needs open spots to bask in the sun.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
It mainly eats plant parts, especially flowers, but will also eat other arthropods when the chance arises.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Males go through six molts and females seven before becoming adults. Adult males can live up to about 22 months and females up to about 26 months.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Mating pairs are seen from September to April, and the first nymphs appear in late December or early January.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is an alpine grasshopper native to the South Island of New Zealand, found at high elevations in Marlborough, Canterbury and northern Otago.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It can be told apart from S. collinus by the latter’s reddish-brown hind legs.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What colours does Sigaus nivalis have?
It shows cryptic grey or grey-brown mottled colouration that matches the surrounding rocks.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is Sigaus nivalis found?
It is native to the South Island of New Zealand, occurring at high elevations in Marlborough, Canterbury and northern Otago.
Source: Wikipedia
What does Sigaus nivalis eat?
It mainly feeds on plant floral parts but will opportunistically eat other arthropods.
Source: Wikipedia
How big does Sigaus nivalis get?
Males are 15 to 24 mm long and females 16 to 40 mm long, generally smaller than S. robustus.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Acrididae)
Differential GrasshopperMelanoplus differentialisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Two-striped GrasshopperMelanoplus bivittatusDamages trees, gardens or crops
Carolina GrasshopperDissosteira carolinaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Common Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus
Egyptian Bird GrasshopperAnacridium aegyptium
Gray Bird GrasshopperSchistocerca nitensDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigaus_nivalis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.