Truxalis nasuta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Habitat:
I met adults and nymphs in Gran Canaria in ravines with gravel and grass islands. In addition, Truxalis nasuta occurs in the southern Mediterranean region in dry or partially wet mosaics of higher growing and gappy vegetation such as dry river beds, coastal dunes etc.

Life cycle:
I met adults in Crete in late April and early May 2013. The similar but especially as female much smaller Acrida ungarica is according to my experiences from the Northern Mediterranean adult not earlier than summer/late summer. The larvae of Truxalis nasuta developes already from autumn, but those of ungarica at least in the Northern Mediterranean obviously not before spring.

The females of Truxalis nasuta are large, but able to fly especially in hot weather. It is a great experience to meet a slowly and noisily flying individual.

Remarks:
In Europe, Truxalis nasuta is known only from a few regions as the Canary Islands and parts of the southern Mediterranean (e.g. Iberian Peninsula). It is also found in parts of the northern half of Africa and southern Asia (e.g. India).

The related Acrida ungarica is more widespread and reaches for example eastern Austria (nowadays extinct there).