University of Michigan Biological Station

Biology 442 - Biology of Insects

Lecture Notes - Families of Orthoptera

1. Suborder Caelifera. Short antennae, 3 or fewer tarsal segments, tympana on side of 1st abdominal segment, stridulate by rubbing hind femora over tegmina (forewing) or abdomen or by snapping wings together, cerci and ovipositor short.
   1. Tetrigidae (Pygmy grasshoppers).
      1. Size - 13 to 19 mm.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Extended pronotum.
         2. Do not sing.
      3. Habitat. Grassy areas.
      4. Food. Herbivorous.
   2. Acrididae (Short-horned grasshoppers).
      1. Size - variable.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Short antennae.
         2. Pronotum not extended.
         3. Tympana present.
      3. Habitat. Grassy and weedy areas.
      4. Food. Herbivorous.
      5. Other. Some are destructive and may have outbreaks (locusts). Males sing during day.
   3. Tridactylidae (Pygmy mole crickets).
      1. Size - 4 to 10 mm
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Small size.
         2. Front tarsi somewhat modified for digging.
         3. Fore and mesotarsi 2 segmented, hind tarsi 1 segmented or absent.
         4. Appear to have 4 cerci.
      3. Habitat. Burrow along shores of streams and lakes.
      4. Food. Presumably herbivorous.
      5. Other. Active jumpers. Males do not sing.
2. Suborder Ensifera. Usually long antennae, tarsi 3 or 4 segmented, tympana on front tibiae, sing by rubbing forewings together, ovipositor long.
   1. Tettigoniidae (Long-horned grasshoppers and katydids).
      1. Size - variable.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Long antennae.
         2. Midtarsi 4 segmented.
         3. Wings usually well-developed.
         4. Often green.
      3. Habitat. Most terrestrial environments.
      4. Food. Herbivorous, few are predaceous.
      5. Other. Persistent and obvious singers.
   2. Gryllacrididae (Cave and Camel crickets).
      1. Size - small or medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Long antennae.
         2. Midtarsi 4 segmented.
         3. Wings lacking or vestigial.
         4. Brown or gray.
         5. No tympana.
         6. Often humpbacked.
      3. Habitat. Dark, moist places such as caves, under logs and stones, in tree holes.
      4. Food. Presumably herbivorous.
   3. Gryllidae (Crickets).
      1. Size - medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Long antennae.
         2. Midtarsi 3 segmented.
         3. Tympana present.
      3. Habitat. Some in weeds, trees or shrubs, some on ground in damp places.
      4. Food. Omnivorous.
      5. Other. Good singers, both during day and at night. Different calling and courtship sons in some.
   4. Gryllotalpidae (Mole crickets).
      1. Size - medium to large.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Short antennae.
         2. Forelegs adapted for digging (look like mole feet).
         3. Tympana present.
         4. Brownish, pubescent.
      3. Habitat. Burrow in moist soil usually by ponds and streams up to 150-200 mm below surface.
      4. Food. Herbivorous.
      5. Other. Good singers and fliers and sometimes have large dispersal flights.

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