Phoetaliotes

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Family: Acrididae
Subfamily: Melanoplinae
Tribe: Melanoplini
Genus: Phoetaliotes

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phoetaliotes: //ˌfoʊtəliˈoʊtiːz//

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Summary

Phoetaliotes is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers that includes at least one described species, P. nebrascensis. It is characterized by a distinctive head shape and male genitalia, and is potentially closely related to other genera such as Akamasacris.

Physical Characteristics

Head distinctly elevated above and wider than the thorax; male cerci are slender and tapered to a blunt point; male furculae are tiny but present, widely separated; wings usually shorter than the length of head + pronotum, with tegmina overlapping above and pointed apically; some individuals may have fully developed long wings with wide and obliquely rounded tegmina.

Identification Tips

Distinguished from Melanoplus by the enlarged head and male genitalia differences; males have unique cerci and furculae morphology.

Evolution

Distinction from Melanoplus is weak and likely artificial; may eventually be synonymized with Melanoplus.

Similar Taxa

Melanoplus aridus
Akamasacris

Misconceptions

Although visually distinct, the differentiation from Melanoplus is weak and may change.