Tettigoniidea
Kevan, 1982
Katydids, wētā, and allies, katydids, wētā, bush crickets, king crickets, grigs
Family Guides
6- Anostostomatidae(wētā)
- Gryllacrididae(raspy crickets)
- Prophalangopsidae(grigs)
- Rhaphidophoridae(cave crickets)
- Stenopelmatidae(Jerusalem crickets)
- Tettigoniidae(katydids)
Tettigoniidea is an infraorder of Orthoptera comprising katydids, wētā, , and grigs. It includes six extant distributed across four superfamilies: (katydids), (wētā and king crickets), (grigs), and the extinct Phasmomimoidea. Members are characterized by elongated , enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping, and sound production via stridulation. The group contains at least 440 described , with substantial diversity in tropical and temperate regions worldwide.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tettigoniidea: /ˌtɛtɪɡoʊˈniːɪdiːə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Tettigoniidea is distinguished from other Orthoptera by the combination of extremely long, thread-like (often exceeding body length), enlarged hind with well-developed jumping musculature, and tympanal organs located on the fore tibiae. Members possess stridulatory apparatus on the forewings (tegmina) in most groups, with sound production mechanisms varying among . The ovipositor is typically flattened and sword-like or reduced, differing from the cylindrical form in related groups.
Images
Distribution
Worldwide distribution spanning tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Documented occurrences include North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. In Mongolia, at least 42 have been recorded across 18 provinces, with Deracantha onos (Common bull ) identified as the most widespread species, occupying approximately 881,730 km².
Behavior
Sound production via stridulation is a defining behavioral trait, with males typically generating -specific calls to attract females. The Mongolian study indicates that Deracantha onos has been observed across diverse survey points, suggesting broad and active capabilities.
Similar Taxa
- Gryllidea (crickets)Shares long and jumping hind legs, but distinguished by cylindrical ovipositor and different tympanal organ position; molecular and morphological analyses support separate infraordinal status
- Caelifera (grasshoppers)Short , tympanal organs located on abdominal segments rather than fore tibiae, and different wing venation patterns clearly separate this infraorder from Tettigoniidea
More Details
Taxonomic Composition
Contains four superfamilies with markedly different ecological profiles: (primarily phytophagous katydids), (largely predatory or wētā and ), (relictual grigs with limited distribution), and the extinct Phasmomimoidea (known only from fossil specimens)
Conservation Relevance
Climate modeling for Mongolian predicts distribution shifts: Deracantha onos distribution projected to expand with 2.2°C temperature increase and 14.5% precipitation increase by 2050, with further expansion by 2080 under continued warming scenarios