Acrididae

Definition

A large family of grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera, distinguished by short, stout antennae (shorter than the body), tympanal organs located on the first abdominal segment, and enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping. The family includes the majority of grasshopper species and all true locusts—swarming, phase-polyphenic species such as the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Acrididae comprises roughly 10,000 described species across more than 25 subfamilies, making it the dominant family of the suborder Caelifera. Members are ecologically significant as herbivores, crop pests, and food sources in many terrestrial food webs.

Etymology

From Acrida, the type genus (Greek akris, 'locust, grasshopper') + -idae (family suffix)

Example

The subfamily Oedipodinae, which includes many band-winged grasshoppers, is sometimes elevated to family rank as Oedipodidae, but most current treatments retain it within Acrididae.

Synonyms

• short-horned grasshoppers (informal)

Related Terms

• Caelifera
• Orthoptera
• locust
• Grasshopper
• Tympanum
• Oedipodinae
• Acridoidea
• phase polyphenism

Usage Notes

Acrididae is used in the strict sense for the family containing short-horned grasshoppers; contrast with Tettigoniidae (long-horned grasshoppers/katydids) which have antennae longer than the body. The family is sometimes circumscribed more narrowly when Oedipodinae is treated as a separate family Oedipodidae. The informal phrase 'short-horned grasshopper' refers specifically to Acrididae, not to all grasshoppers with reduced antennae.