Difference between revisions of "Orthoptera" - New World Encyclopedia
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The '''Orthoptera''' ("Straight Wings") are an order of [[insect]]s with [[incomplete metamorphosis]], including the [[grasshopper]]s, [[cricket (insect)|cricket]]s and [[locust]]s. Many insects in this order produce [[sound]] (known as a "[[stridulation]]") by rubbing their wings against each other or their legs, the wings or legs containing rows of corrugated bumps. Their [[ear]]s, located in the front legs, are interconnected in such a way that they are able to locate each other by sound. | The '''Orthoptera''' ("Straight Wings") are an order of [[insect]]s with [[incomplete metamorphosis]], including the [[grasshopper]]s, [[cricket (insect)|cricket]]s and [[locust]]s. Many insects in this order produce [[sound]] (known as a "[[stridulation]]") by rubbing their wings against each other or their legs, the wings or legs containing rows of corrugated bumps. Their [[ear]]s, located in the front legs, are interconnected in such a way that they are able to locate each other by sound. | ||
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Orthopterans have two pairs of [[insect wing|wings]]; the forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened at the base. They are held overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest. They have [[mandible|mandibulate]] mouthparts, large compound eyes, [[antenna (biology)|antennae]] length varies with species. Their hind legs are enlarged for jumping. | Orthopterans have two pairs of [[insect wing|wings]]; the forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened at the base. They are held overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest. They have [[mandible|mandibulate]] mouthparts, large compound eyes, [[antenna (biology)|antennae]] length varies with species. Their hind legs are enlarged for jumping. | ||
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+ | Orthoptera ("Straight Wings") is an order of [[insect]]s with [[metamorphosis#Insect metamorphosis|incomplete metamorphosis or hemimetabolism]]. They have two pairs of [[insect wing|wings]]; the forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened at the base. They are held overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest. Orthopterans have [[mandible|mandibulate]] mouthparts, large compound eyes, and [[antenna (biology)|antennae]] length varies with species. | ||
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+ | '''Caelifera''' and '''Ensifera''' are currently the only two suborders in Orthoptera. Traditionally, the order had also included [[cockroach]]es, [[preying mantis]], and walking sticks. Members of Tettigoniidae are commonly known as bush crickets or katydids, and are closely related to the [[cricket]]s, which are also members of Ensifera. Caelifera also includes the [[locust]]s, which is the name given to the migratory members of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. Both Caelifera and Ensifera have mainly herbivorous insects, but there are a few carniverous species in Ensifera. | ||
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+ | The Tettigoniidae (long-horned grasshoppers) are typified by antennae longer than the body, while the Acrididae (short-horned grasshoppers) have antennae shorter than the body. | ||
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+ | ==Caelifera== | ||
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+ | ===Types=== | ||
+ | The suborder Caelifera is classified into 8 superfamilies, 22 families, about 2,400 [[genus|genera]], and over 10,400 described species (Grzimek et al. 2004). Five of these are major families: | ||
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+ | *Acrididae (field grasshoppers and locusts) | ||
+ | *[[Eumastacidae]]* (monkey grasshoppers) | ||
+ | *[[Tanaoceridae]]* (tanaocerids) | ||
+ | *[[Tetrigidae]]* (grouse locusts, pygmy grasshoppers, and pygmy locusts) | ||
+ | *[[Tridactylidae]]* (pygmy mole crickets) | ||
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+ | The largest superfamily is Acridoidea with over 7,200 described species in 1,600 genera. The largest family is [[Acrididae]]. The family is characterized by the short, thickened antennae and relatively unmodified [[anatomy]]. They are often visually more striking than other Caelifera, due to the adults' wings and legs, which are well developed and may be brightly colored. Auditory organs are on the abdomen, unlike on the forelegs of the family Tettigoniidae. The true grasshoppers produce sounds by rubbing their legs against the abdomen, and there may also be a visual display. The Acrididae includes the [[locust]]s, which can be serious economic pests. | ||
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==Life cycle== | ==Life cycle== |
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The Orthoptera ("Straight Wings") are an order of insects with incomplete metamorphosis, including the grasshoppers, crickets and locusts. Many insects in this order produce sound (known as a "stridulation") by rubbing their wings against each other or their legs, the wings or legs containing rows of corrugated bumps. Their ears, located in the front legs, are interconnected in such a way that they are able to locate each other by sound.
Orthopterans have two pairs of wings; the forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened at the base. They are held overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest. They have mandibulate mouthparts, large compound eyes, antennae length varies with species. Their hind legs are enlarged for jumping.
Orthoptera ("Straight Wings") is an order of insects with incomplete metamorphosis or hemimetabolism. They have two pairs of wings; the forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened at the base. They are held overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest. Orthopterans have mandibulate mouthparts, large compound eyes, and antennae length varies with species.
Caelifera and Ensifera are currently the only two suborders in Orthoptera. Traditionally, the order had also included cockroaches, preying mantis, and walking sticks. Members of Tettigoniidae are commonly known as bush crickets or katydids, and are closely related to the crickets, which are also members of Ensifera. Caelifera also includes the locusts, which is the name given to the migratory members of short-horned grasshoppers of the family Acrididae. Both Caelifera and Ensifera have mainly herbivorous insects, but there are a few carniverous species in Ensifera.
The Tettigoniidae (long-horned grasshoppers) are typified by antennae longer than the body, while the Acrididae (short-horned grasshoppers) have antennae shorter than the body.
Caelifera
Types
The suborder Caelifera is classified into 8 superfamilies, 22 families, about 2,400 genera, and over 10,400 described species (Grzimek et al. 2004). Five of these are major families:
- Acrididae (field grasshoppers and locusts)
- Eumastacidae (monkey grasshoppers)
- Tanaoceridae (tanaocerids)
- Tetrigidae (grouse locusts, pygmy grasshoppers, and pygmy locusts)
- Tridactylidae (pygmy mole crickets)
The largest superfamily is Acridoidea with over 7,200 described species in 1,600 genera. The largest family is Acrididae. The family is characterized by the short, thickened antennae and relatively unmodified anatomy. They are often visually more striking than other Caelifera, due to the adults' wings and legs, which are well developed and may be brightly colored. Auditory organs are on the abdomen, unlike on the forelegs of the family Tettigoniidae. The true grasshoppers produce sounds by rubbing their legs against the abdomen, and there may also be a visual display. The Acrididae includes the locusts, which can be serious economic pests.
Life cycle
Orthopterans develop by incomplete metamorphosis. Most orthopterans 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. Through successive moults the nymphs develop wings buds 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.
Orthoptera as food
The Orthoptera are the only insects considered kosher in Judaism. Although the Bible may be read as stating that all Orthoptera are kosher except those, such as the mole cricket, that do not jump, halakhic authorities state that only four species known in Yemen are kosher.
Taxonomy note
Note that the cricket suborder Ensifera will probably be given its own order soon, the Grylloptera. The Orthopterists' Society also recently (December 2005) decided upon a major change in the classificatory organization of the Ensifera.
See also
- List of orthoptera recorded in Britain
External links
- Orthoptera Species File Online
- Orthoptera Image Gallery (Iowa State University Entomology Department)
- Australian Plague Locust Commission
- The Orthopterists' Society
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