1. Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and Crickets)
SO, 12/13
Orthoptera (Grasshoppers and Crickets)

2. Class Insecta
Subclass Apterygota
Order Protura
Order Collembola
Order Diplura
Order Thysanura
Subclass Pterygota
Exopterygota
Order Ephermeroptera
Order Odonata
Order Blattodea
Order Isoptera
Order Orthoptera
Family Tetrigidae
Acrididae
Tettigonidae
Gryllacrididae
Family Gryllidae
Gryllotalpidae
Endopterygota

3. Orthopterans all tend to have several traits
Enlarged hind legs
Big compound eyes (usually)
Large pronotum
If winged,
forewings are thin and leathery
Hind wings are broad and membranous
Usually have two cerci
Females often have large protruding ovipositor
Generally are herbivorous
Males often ‘chirp’ but in different ways

4. Tetrigidae: Pygmy Grasshoppers
Very recognizable
Small (3/4th inch)
Pronotum extends backward
Otherwise look like ‘Grasshoppers’
Unusual in that they may overwinter as adults
Eat algae, organic matter
Tetrigidae: Pygmy Grasshoppers

5. Acrididae: ‘Short horned’ grasshoppers
These ARE ‘grasshoppers’
Usually long forewings
Short antennae, often thicker
Have tympana
Pronotum does NOT extend backwards
Big pest for agriculture
Produce low buzzing sound by rubbing wings together
Acrididae: ‘Short horned’ grasshoppers

6. What is a locust??? Locusts are specific type of grasshoppers
On a year with lots of plants, grasshoppers multiply
Next year, there are too many grasshoppers
When crowded together, females hormones change
Next generation are bigger, and migrate
Eventually, when population spreads out again, grasshoppers return to normal

7. Tettigoniidae: Katydids, long horned Grasshoppers
Very long and slender antennae (1:1)
Have tympana on foreleg tibia
Fairly large, katydids are usually green
There are a few carnivores in this group (remember?)
Most eat leaves though
Tend to have long forewings
Tettigoniidae: Katydids, long horned Grasshoppers

8. Mormon cricket

9. Gryllacrididae: Camel Crickets
Hump backed
Tan or grey
Long, threadlike antennae (1:1)
Do not produce sound
Do not usually have tympana
Usually wingless
Gryllacrididae: Camel Crickets

10. Jerusalem cricket

11. Gryllidae: Crickets, tree crickets
Somewhat short/squat
Long tapering antennae (1:2)
Conspicuous cerci
Shorter forewings
Tympana on forelegs
Tree crickets are small
Green
Small heads
Gryllidae: Crickets, tree crickets

12. Tree Cricket

13. Gryllotalpidae: Mole crickets
Crickets that specialize in burrowing
Have enlarged digging forelegs
Forewings cover half abdomen
Hind wings are longer
Feed on plant roots
Have very large rounded pronotum
Gryllotalpidae: Mole crickets