Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids
order of class “Insects“
1 order, 16 species
The orthopterans, a group of insects including grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids, have a name derived from Greek words meaning “straight wing.” They have a cylindrical body with elongated hindlegs adapted for jumping, mandibulate mouthparts for biting and chewing, and large compound eyes. They go through an incomplete metamorphosis, where the young nymphs resemble adults but lack wings, and gradually develop wings through successive moults. The evolution of this order occurred 300 million years ago, with a division into two suborders, Caelifera and Ensifera, happening 256 million years ago. Their use of sound is crucial in courtship, with most species having distinct songs.
Hierarchy
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
species of infraorder “Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids“
1 species
Etymology#
The name is derived from the Greek ὀρθός orthos meaning “straight” and πτερόν pteron meaning “wing”.
Characteristics#
Orthopterans have a generally cylindrical body, with elongated hindlegs and musculature adapted for jumping. They have mandibulate mouthparts for biting and chewing and large compound eyes, and may or may not have ocelli, depending on the species. The antennae have multiple joints and filiform type, and are of variable length.The first and third segments on the thorax are larger, while the second segment is much smaller. They have two pairs of wings, which are held overlapping the abdomen at rest. The forewings, or tegmina, are narrower than the hindwings and hardened at the base, while the hindwings are membranous, with straight veins and numerous cross-veins. At rest, the hindwings are held folded fan-like under the forewings. The final two to three segments of the abdomen are reduced, and have single-segmented cerci.
Life cycle#
Orthopterans have a paurometabolous lifecycle or incomplete metamorphosis. The use of sound is generally crucial in courtship, and most species have distinct songs. Most grasshoppers lay their eggs in the ground or on vegetation. The eggs hatch and the young nymphs resemble adults, but lack wings and at this stage are often called ‘hoppers’. They may often also have a radically different coloration from the adults. Through successive moults, the nymphs develop wings until their final moult into a mature adult with fully developed wings.The number of moults varies between species; growth is also very variable and may take a few weeks to some months depending on food availability and weather conditions.
Evolution#
This order evolved 300 million years ago with a division into two suborders - Caelifera and Ensifera - occurring 256 million years ago.
See also#
List of Orthopteroid genera containing species recorded in Europe List of Orthoptera recorded in Britain Orthopterida Female sperm storage
External links#
Orthoptera Species File Online Orthoptera Image Gallery (Iowa State University Entomology Department) Australian Plague Locust Commission The Orthopterists’ Society AcridAfrica, les acridiens d’Afrique de l’Ouest “Orthoptera” . New International Encyclopedia. 1905. Birdwing Grasshoppers in Belize Sound recordings of Orthoptera at BioAcoustica
The orthopterans, a group of insects including grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids, have a name derived from Greek words meaning “straight wing.” They have a cylindrical body with elongated hindlegs adapted for jumping, mandibulate mouthparts for biting and chewing, and large compound eyes. They go through an incomplete metamorphosis, where the young nymphs resemble adults but lack wings, and gradually develop wings through successive moults. The evolution of this order occurred 300 million years ago, with a division into two suborders, Caelifera and Ensifera, happening 256 million years ago. Their use of sound is crucial in courtship, with most species having distinct songs.
Ancestry Graph
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