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
Print References
Capinera, et al.,
Field Guide to Grasshoppers... (1)
HOJUN SONG
Revision of the Alutacea Group of Genus Schistocerca
(Orthoptera: Acrididae: Cyrtacanthacridinae)
Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 97(3):420-436 (2004)
