Tribe Trimerotropini

The following Old World groupings have in past been associated with Trimerotropini, but recent molecular studies show them to be separate, and best considered as distinct groups:

Morphologically, Old World genera closest to Sphingonotus and New World genera closest to Trimerotropis are quite similar. Therefore, they have often been grouped together within a single tribe - "Sphingonotini".

However, ongoing molecular studies show that most (if not all) American genera are actually not closely related to Old World genera. The older name "Trimerotropini" has been applied to various American genera, and is used here to include those most closely akin to, or at least superficially similar to Trimerotropis.

The only Old World genus of tribe Sphingonotini to also occur in the Americas is Sphingonotus. Strangely, it is represented in the Greater Antilles, coastal Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands.] However, the genus does not reach into North America as covered in BugGuide.

Another tribal name (with priority over Sphingonotini) is "Bryodemini". The tribe Bryodemini has by some been considered as closely tied to true Old World Sphingonotini, and in past some have combined them as one, but more recent studies show them to probably be best considered as two distinct groupings. This group mostly very loud insects is not closely related to any strictly American genera either. However, the genus Circotettix has sometimes been included in tribe Bryodemini based on striking structural and behavioral similarities. However, it has more recently been convincingly shown by molecular studies that Circotettix is indeed very closely related to Trimerotropis and kin, but not to Old World members of Bryodemini.

The genus Anconia is genetically little studied yet, but seems perhaps to be most closely related to the rest placed in Trimerotropini. It is, however, rather unique, and may not belong here. It is grouped here for convenience, with the qualification that it may belong in its own tribe "Anoniini", or perhaps even to the old world Sphingonotini.

Tropidolophus also may not belong with Trimerotropini either. It is a distinctly unique and odd genus & species, but seems most similar to Dissosteira in many ways (which definitely does belong with the other Trimerotropini).

Relationships of both Anconia and Tropidolophus need more study.

As here defined, there are 7 North American genera: Anconia, Circotettix, Conozoa, Dissosteira, Microtes, Spharagemon, Trimerotropis, & Tropidolophus.

Diraneura bivenosa (Scudder) Scudder, from Ecuador, is extremely similar to Conozoa, and probably belongs to this tribe as well.

A varied group, but generally relatively slender, most often with colored hind wings. Hind wings are clear, yellow, green, or blue, with only two North American species having wings more in the red range (Dissosteira pictipennis & Tropidolophus formosus), and with Spharagemon marmorata leaning toward orange somewhat. There is usually a dark band crossing near or just beyond the middle, and this usually has a distinct spur extending toward the base near the front margin of the wing. A few species have the dark cross band greatly expanded to cover much of the wing. In one species, (Dissosteira spurcata), the dark band is in the form of a narrow dark outer border. The tegmina of most species have two or three dark cross bands that may be nearly solid or broken into spots or speckles. In most species the median ridge of the pronotum is well developed (though it may be very low) and cut once or twice. There are rarely any other strongly developed ridges on top of the pronotum, but there might be a short low one on either side of the median, or ill-defined ones at the lateral edges of the top. The hind femur is usually marked with dark cross bands (particularly on the inner side). Hind tibiae vary in color - brownish, red, orange, yellow, green, or blue. Adults of most species can produce buzzing, crackling, snapping, or ticking sounds (crepitation) when they fly.

Primarily North American, with a weak representation in South America.

Primarily favoring bare ground in open, sunny, most often semi-arid to arid environments; such as grasslands, desert, mountainsides, rock exposures, etc., where they are typically well camouflaged to blend in with the substrates. However, some do favor woodland areas, and a few will sometimes rest on low vegetation above the ground.

Nearly all have a single annual generation from eggs overwintering in the ground. Hatching is mostly in spring with adults maturing in late spring or summer, but may be delayed till summer rains come or even for a period of several years in hot dry climates. In some species, occasional adults may survive winter in the South. At least one species (Trimerotropis pallidipennis) is multiple-brooded southward, and may survive mild winters in any stage of development. Anconia species overwinter primarily, if not entirely, as nymphs.

This group contains many of our most conspicuous and well known Grasshoppers. Rarely are any of economic significance, though a few species have been known to experience brief population explosions. They are commonly noticed, even when not abundant, because of their tendency to make themselves both seen and heard when they fly. Some are quite beautiful, especially upon close examination. On the other hand, most are masters of camouflage and are nearly invisible when resting on ground (or occasionally in vegetation) that they closely mimic in color and pattern.