Grylloidea

Definition

A superfamily within the order Orthoptera comprising the crickets and their closest relatives. The group includes the "true crickets" (family Gryllidae), scaly crickets (Mogoplistidae), wood crickets (Trigonidiidae), and several other extant families, plus fossil genera. Members are characterized by enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping, long antennae typically exceeding body length, and sound production via stridulation of forewing structures. The superfamily is distinguished from related grasshopper superfamilies (Acridoidea, Tetrigoidea, Tridactyloidea) primarily by antennal length and wing stridulatory apparatus.

Etymology

From Gryllus, the type genus of crickets (Latin gryllus, "cricket"), with the superfamily suffix -oidea.

Example

Field crickets (Gryllus spp.) and tree crickets (Oecanthinae) are familiar grylloid insects whose nocturnal calling songs dominate temperate and tropical soundscapes.

Synonyms

• cricket superfamily

Related Terms

• Orthoptera
• Gryllidae
• Ensifera
• Acridoidea
• stridulation
• tegmen
• caeliferans

Usage Notes

Grylloidea is one of four superfamilies traditionally recognized within Orthoptera, though phylogenetic relationships among ensiferan groups (crickets, katydids, wetas) remain under revision. The term specifically excludes grasshoppers (Acridoidea) and pygmy mole crickets (Tridactyloidea), which were formerly grouped with crickets in some classifications. When used informally, "crickets" may encompass katydids (Tettigonioidea), but Grylloidea is taxonomically restricted to the cricket lineage proper.