Flightless Bush Crickets
Hapithus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Ensifera
- Infraorder: Gryllidea
- Family: Gryllidae
- Subfamily: Hapithinae
- Genus: Hapithus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hapithus: //ˈhæpɪθəs//
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Images
Summary
Hapithus is a genus of flightless bush crickets containing several species primarily located in the Americas, notably in the southeastern United States.
Physical Characteristics
Brown, sedentary crickets with hindwings shorter than forewings; foretibia with anterior tympanum but without posterior one.
Identification Tips
Observe the body color and relative size of wings; forewings are longer than hindwings.
Habitat
Forests and grasslands primarily in southeastern USA and southern Florida.
Distribution
Primarily found in the southeastern United States, with H. melodius specifically in southern Florida.
Diet
Herbivorous, feeding on various plant materials.
Life Cycle
Life cycle details are not extensively documented; likely involves egg, nymph, and adult stages typical of bush crickets.
Reproduction
Details on specific mating strategies or reproductive habits are not provided.
Ecosystem Role
Plays a role in the ecosystems as herbivores and as prey for various predators.
Collecting Methods
- Sweep netting
- Hand collection
- Pitfall traps
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation
- Pinned specimens
- Drying specimens
Evolution
Orocharis is now considered a subgenus of Hapithus, indicating evolutionary relationships within the group.
Misconceptions
Commonly perceived as being able to fly; however, these are flightless species.
Tags
- Hapithus
- Flightless Bush Crickets
- Gryllidae
- Orthoptera