Hippiscini

Hippiscini grasshoppers are distinguished from other Oedipodinae by wing venation patterns and the structure of the male genitalia. The hind wings typically display bold transverse bands of contrasting colors—often black, yellow, orange, or red—that are concealed when the insect is at rest but become visible during flight. This aposematic coloration may serve as a startle display against predators. Body size varies considerably among species, ranging from small to moderately large grasshoppers. The pronotum shape and the presence or absence of lateral carinae provide additional diagnostic characters for distinguishing Hippiscini from related tribes.

Species within Hippiscini primarily occupy open, xeric environments including shortgrass prairies, desert grasslands, agricultural fields, and disturbed weedy areas. They are well-adapted to habitats with sparse vegetation cover and well-drained soils. Many species show preference for areas with bare ground or low-growing herbaceous vegetation that provides both food resources and basking sites for thermoregulation.

The tribe has a cosmopolitan distribution with representatives on every continent except Antarctica. Highest diversity occurs in temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. In North America, members range from the Great Plains and southwestern deserts through Mexico and into Central America.

Adult activity periods vary by species and latitude, generally occurring from late spring through early autumn in temperate regions. Many species have a single generation per year, with eggs overwintering in the soil and hatching in spring when temperatures become favorable. In warmer climates, some species may produce multiple generations or have extended adult activity periods.

Many Hippiscini species exhibit classic band-winged grasshopper behaviors including crepitation—producing a crackling sound during flight by snapping the forewings against the hind wings. When disturbed, they typically take flight with a characteristic clicking noise, displaying their brightly banded hind wings before landing again some distance away. Some species within this tribe, particularly in the genus Locusta and related genera, have demonstrated density-dependent phase polyphenism where crowded conditions can trigger gregarious behavior, increased mobility, and morphological changes associated with locust swarming.

As herbivores, Hippiscini grasshoppers contribute to nutrient cycling and serve as a significant food source for vertebrate and invertebrate predators including birds, reptiles, and spiders. Their population dynamics can influence plant community composition in grassland ecosystems. Certain species have agricultural significance as occasional pests of crops and rangeland vegetation.

Some Hippiscini species have been historically important as agricultural pests. The desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), though not in Hippiscini, demonstrates the potential for Oedipodinae grasshoppers to cause devastating crop damage. Several Hippiscini species can reach outbreak densities and cause localized damage to pastures and field crops. Conversely, they are also valued as indicators of grassland health and are subjects of ecological research and conservation efforts in native prairie habitats.

• LocustiniAnother tribe within Oedipodinae; distinguished by differences in wing venation patterns and male genitalia structure
• OedipodiniTribe within the same subfamily; differs in pronotal shape and hind wing coloration patterns
• SphingonotiniRelated tribe of band-winged grasshoppers; separable by subtle differences in wing morphology and habitat preferences

• grasshopper
• band-winged
• Oedipodinae
• Acrididae
• Orthoptera
• locust
• prairie
• xeric habitat
• aposematic coloration
• crepitation

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