Melanoplini

Melanoplini

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melanoplini: //ˌmɛləˈnɒplɪnaɪ//

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

Images

Bohemanella frigida w by Gabriele Kothe-Heinrich. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Melanopus frigidus male (3787607793) by Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) - Killarney, Ontario 04 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Melanoplus complanatipes P1510124a by 
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Melanoplus keeleri by Robert Webster. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Melanoplus bivittatus Two-striped Grasshopper by Paul Harrison. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Melanoplini is a tribe of spur-throated grasshoppers characterized by a variety of genera predominantly found in North America. Their relationships and classification are not fully understood, leading to potential future reclassification.

Physical Characteristics

Sporadically shared traits include variations in size and coloration, but the exact characteristics can vary widely among genera.

Identification Tips

Look for spur-throated features and body shapes typical of grasshoppers. Many genera exhibit a similar appearance which can aid in identification.

Habitat

Primarily found in various habitats across North America, including grasslands, fields, and open areas.

Distribution

All species within the tribe Melanoplini are found in North America.

Diet

Primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of grasses and other plants.

Life Cycle

Typically undergo incomplete metamorphosis with three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

Reproduction

Eggs are usually laid in the soil or in plant debris, where they undergo development before hatching into nymphs.

Predators

Common predators include birds, small mammals, and other insects such as predatory beetles and mantids.

Ecosystem Role

As herbivores, they play a crucial role in the food web, serving as prey for various predators and influencing plant community dynamics.

Economic Impact

Potential agricultural pest due to their feeding habits, which can impact crop yields in affected areas.

Collecting Methods

  • Sweep netting
  • Pitfall traps
  • Hand collection

Preservation Methods

  • Drying
  • Ethanol immersion
  • Freezing

Evolution

Recent biogeographic studies suggest descendants from the Eocene and Miocene epochs, highlighting their long evolutionary history.

Misconceptions

Some may assume that all grasshoppers are detrimental pests; however, they also contribute to ecological balance.

Tags

  • Melanoplini
  • grasshoppers
  • Acrididae
  • North America
  • insects