Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Acridioidea
Classification follows
Orthoptera Species File; see Taxonomy Proposals topic
here.
Explanation of Names
Ander (1939) first divided the Orthoptera into suborders Caelifera and Ensifera (
OSF).
Apparently from Latin
caelare, (noun
caelatura), to engrave in relief, plus
-fer, bearing (Internet searches)
(1)--likely refers to the sculptured integument of many in this group. The related term
Ensifera means
sword-bearing.
Numbers
In North America, four families, about 660 species, most (620 or so) in family
Acrididae (totals from individual family pages).
Worldwide, about 2,400 genera, 11,000 species (Internet references).
Identification
The group that contains the insects familiar to most people as grasshoppers. Also includes the Pygmy Mole 'Crickets' (Tridactylidae), which are not closely related to crickets. Characteristics:
back legs large, modified for jumping
antennae usually shorter than body
antennae have fewer than 30 segments (more than 30 in Ensifera)
ovipositor short (not obvious), structural details--4 valves, as opposed to six in Ensifera (see
Tree of Life)
auditory organ (tympanum) if present, is on the abdomen (typically on front tibiae in Ensifera)
stridulation (if performed) typically accomplished by rubbing serration of inner surface of hind femur across veins of front wing--mechanism typically involves just the forewings in Ensifera
Food
Feed almost exclusively on plants, though some will scavenge dead plant and animal material at times.
Print References
Gordh,
A Dictionary of Entomology, entry for
caelate (1)
Ander. 1939. Opuscula Entomologica, Lund. 2(Suppl.): 306 pp., division of order Orthoptera into two suborders (quoted by
OSF)
Internet References
classification plus common name reference, literature citations, synonym, included taxa (Orthoptera Species File)
