Acrididae

MacLeay, 1821

Short-horned Grasshoppers, Grasshoppers

Subfamily Guides

7

is the largest of grasshoppers, comprising approximately 6,700–10,000 within the suborder Caelifera. Members are characterized by short, stout and auditory located on the first abdominal segment. The family includes all locust species capable of forming destructive swarms, making it economically significant worldwide. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate the family originated in South America during the Paleocene, approximately 59 million years ago, rather than Africa as previously believed.

Chimarocephala pacifica by (c) Darin J McGuire, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Darin J McGuire. Used under a CC-BY license.Melanoplus aspasmus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Emily Langdon-Lassagne. Used under a CC0 license.Melanoplus bispinosus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Calinsdad. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acrididae: /əˈkrɪdɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from Tettigoniidae by length (short vs. very long). Separated from Tetrigidae (pygmy grasshoppers) by the pronotum, which in does not extend backward as a roof over the . Within Orthoptera, the tympanal location on the first abdominal segment is diagnostic. are distinguished by male genitalia, wing venation, and pronotal structure; however, many currently recognized subfamilies (e.g., Catantopinae, Hemiacridinae) are based on recent genetic analyses and require taxonomic revision.

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Habitat

Occupies diverse terrestrial including grasslands, prairies, savannas, steppes, deserts, agricultural fields, and mountain meadows up to alpine zones. Many are habitat associated with particular vegetation structures or moisture regimes, while others are . Some show distinct habitat preferences: Gomphocerinae often in mesic grasslands, Oedipodinae in open arid areas, and Cyrtacanthacridinae in tropical and subtropical regions.

Distribution

distribution spanning all continents except Antarctica. Highest in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. The originated in South America and subsequently colonized Africa, Europe, and Asia through multiple transoceanic events. At least three recolonization events returned lineages to North America.

Seasonality

Activity patterns vary by and latitude. Temperate species typically exhibit or with activity in spring through fall; tropical species may be active year-round. occurs in the stage for most temperate species, though some overwinter as nymphs. Swarming locusts show -dependent phase affecting development rate and migratory .

Diet

Primarily phytophagous, feeding on grasses (Poaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and forbs. Diet breadth ranges from strict grass-feeders (e.g., many Gomphocerinae) to highly (e.g., Melanoplus bivittatus) that consume diverse forbs and crops. Some species ingest trace amounts of fungi, lichens, or material. Mixed diets often enhance survival and compared to single-plant diets.

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with three stages: , nymph (5–6 instars typically), and . Eggs are deposited in pods within soil, often at depths of 0.5–3 cm, with froth plugs providing protection. Embryonic development may proceed directly or enter depending on and environmental cues. Nymphal development duration varies from 30–120 days depending on temperature and food quality. Some temperate species exhibit two-year with nymphal .

Behavior

activity with thermoregulatory including basking (orienting body perpendicular to sunlight) and shade-seeking at high temperatures. Stridulation produced by rubbing hind against tegmina or abdominal serves in mate attraction and courtship. Males often follow females, perform visual displays, and produce -specific songs. Evasive is silent and typically short (2–9 feet at low heights), though migratory species undertake sustained long-distance flights at altitude. Swarming behavior in locusts involves -dependent phase affecting coloration, , and behavior.

Ecological Role

Major primary consumers in grassland , transferring plant to higher . Serve as prey for diverse vertebrate and including birds, reptiles, mammals, spiders, and insects. Nutrient cycling through deposition and carcass decomposition. Some act as ecosystem engineers by altering vegetation structure through selective grazing. irruptions can dramatically reduce primary productivity and alter plant composition.

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pests causing billions of dollars in crop losses annually. Locust swarms (e.g., , Locusta migratoria) represent the most destructive form, capable of consuming entire harvests across continental . Rangeland grasshoppers reduce forage availability for livestock. Control efforts historically relied on organochlorine ; modern incorporates agents (e.g., Metarhizium fungi, microsporidian), reduced-agent area treatments, and monitoring-based decision thresholds. Some are consumed as food in various cultures.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

The term 'locust' is often applied loosely to any swarming , but technically refers only to certain capable of -dependent phase . Not all Acrididae are locusts; the vast majority are non-swarming grasshoppers with solitary . The Oedipodinae is sometimes treated as Oedipodidae, but this classification is not universally accepted.

More Details

Subfamily diversity

The Orthoptera File recognizes approximately 25 including Acridinae, Calliptaminae, Catantopinae, Cyrtacanthacridinae, Gomphocerinae, Melanoplinae, and Oedipodinae. Many subfamilies are currently and await revision based on molecular .

Molecular phylogenetics

A 2018 phylogenomic study by Song et al. using nuclear and mitochondrial from 142 overturned the African origin hypothesis, establishing South American origin at 59.3 million years ago. The study revealed extensive in morphological traits, explaining historical taxonomic difficulties.

Conservation status

Most are not evaluated; some localized endemics are threatened by conversion and agricultural intensification. The as a whole is not of conservation concern given its abundance and ecological dominance in grassland .

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Sources and further reading