Melanoplini
Scudder, 1897
Genus Guides
17- Aeoloplides(Saltbush Grasshoppers)
- Agroecotettix(Aridland Scrub Jumpers)
- Aidemona(Aztec spur-throat (for A. azteca))
- Aptenopedes
- Eotettix(spur-throated grasshoppers)
- Floridacris
- Floritettix
- Melanoplus(North American Spur-throated Grasshoppers)
- Netrosoma
Melanoplini is a tribe of spur-throated grasshoppers in the Acrididae, established by Scudder in 1897. The tribe contains approximately 14-19 and 160-200+ described , all restricted to North America. Many species in this tribe have evolutionary lineages tracing back to the Eocene and Miocene epochs. The group is taxonomically significant as a major radiation of short-horned grasshoppers within the Melanoplinae.
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.
Identification
As a tribe-level , Melanoplini cannot be reliably identified by external alone; identification requires examination of male genitalia and other internal structures. The tribe belongs to the spur-throated grasshopper group, characterized by a peg-like projection on the surface of the pronotum. -level identification within Melanoplini often relies on subtle differences in coloration, wing length, and male and morphology. The tribe is distinguished from related tribes in Melanoplinae (such as Dichroplini and Podismini) by specific genitalic and phallic structures.
Images
Habitat
within Melanoplini occupy diverse terrestrial across North America, including grasslands, prairies, meadows, open woodlands, and montane environments. Habitat preferences vary considerably among and species, ranging from lowland grasslands to alpine meadows. Many species are associated with herbaceous vegetation in open, sunny areas.
Distribution
to North America. The tribe occurs throughout the continent, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with distributed across diverse ecological zones from the Arctic to tropical highlands.
Similar Taxa
- DichropliniAnother tribe in Melanoplinae; distinguished from Melanoplini by different male genitalic structures and primarily Neotropical distribution with limited North American representation.
- PodisminiTribe in Melanoplinae; distinguished from Melanoplini by morphological characteristics of the phallic complex and often by association with forest-edge or wetland rather than open grasslands.
More Details
Taxonomic Uncertainty
Sources differ on the number of and : Wikipedia reports ~19 genera and 200+ species, while iNaturalist reports ~14 genera and at least 160 species. This discrepancy likely reflects ongoing taxonomic revisions and differing classification schemes.
Evolutionary History
Biogeographic studies indicate that many Melanoplini have lineages originating in the Eocene (56-33.9 million years ago) and Miocene (23-5.3 million years ago) epochs, suggesting an ancient diversification within North America.