Explanation of Names
From Greek skhistos (σχιστος)- "split or divided" + kerkos (κερκος)- "tail" (but in insect names normally referring to specific structures sticking out of the tail called cerci- singular cercus), with the feminine ending -a added
Author of genus is Stål, 1873.
Numbers
Nearctica.com lists 8 species.
The
Shistocerca Information Site (see taxonomy) lists ten valid species for North America, has notes on taxonomic issues.
Food
A wide variety of plant matter
Remarks
The locust of the biblical plagues (well-known and dreaded throughout the Middle East and Europe in ancient times) is a member of this genus, Schistocerca gregaria.
Our species are much less prone to swarming behavior
