Allisons INFOO

Other Names for Orthoptera

* orthopterans
* Crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, etc.


The name Orthoptera is derived from "orthos" meaning "straight" and "pteron" = "wing."

Shared-derived characters: in addition to the saltatory hind legs, most orthopterans have small and well separated hind coxae, a pronotum with large descending lateral lobes, nymphal wing rudiments reversing their orientation in later instars and hind tibiae with two dorsal teeth rows (Kevan 1982; Kukalova-Peck 1991; Rentz 1991). Other characteristics are unsegmented cerci and leathery forewings.
The more than 20,000 species in this order have a worldwide distribution but are most diverse in the tropics. Body size varies from less than 5 mm to some of the world's largest insects, with body lengths up to 11.5 cm, and wingspans of over 22 cm. Orthopterans are a common component of terrestrial insect faunas and include some of the most voracious pests (locusts and certain katydids). Members of both suborders are generally phytophagous but many species are omnivores. Females of most species lay clutches of eggs, either in the ground or in vegetation.

Some of the best examples of cryptic coloration are seen in this group, involving mimicry of leaves and other vegetation or other resemblance to the background (Chopard 1938; Hewitt 1979; Kevan 1982; Rentz 1991). Grasshoppers, katydids and crickets are well known for their abilities to jump and particularly for singing by males (females are typically silent). There are few places in the world where the calls of grasshoppers (usually diurnal), katydids and crickets (usually nocturnal) cannot be heard during warm seasons. Organs of sound production and sound reception involve quite different body parts in the two subgroups (Alexander 1960; Dumortier 1963).

The first fossil Orthoptera appear in the upper Carboniferous with the first Ensifera (Chopard 1920) appearing in the Permian and the first Caelifera (Ander 1939) in the Triassic (Gorochov 1995; Kukalova-Peck 1991; Sharov 1968; Zeuner 1939). The two groups are usually considered suborders of the Orthoptera. Attempts to create a separate order for the two suborders Caelifera and Ensifera (e.g. Kevan 1986, in which Ensifera = Grylloptera) have not found general entomological acceptance (see Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships).

hind legs long, modified for jumping
forewings (tegmina) hardened, leathery, spread in flight, covering membranous hindwings at rest
cerci (appendages at tip of abdomen) unsegmented
pronotum usually with large descending lobes on sides
hind coxae small and well-separated
hind tibiae with two dorsal rows of teeth

Metamorphosis gradual (paurometabolous), nymphs resemble adults, typically develop external wing buds, and live in the same habitat as adults, typically taking the same food.
In most crickets and katydids, the female mounts the male for mating -- apparently the primitive (original) behavior in Orthoptera. Short-horned Grasshoppers (Acrididae) have a contorted mating posture with the male mounting the female, but the abdomen twisted strangely.(3)


Explanation of Names
Greek orthos 'straight' + pteron wing


Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)