Acemyini is a small, cosmopolitan tribe of tachinid flies comprising approximately seven genera. All members are parasitoids specializing on Orthoptera, specifically grasshoppers and their relatives in the families Acrididae and Eumastacidae. The tribe is distinguished by unique bristle arrangements on the scutellum and wing veins that separate it from other Tachinidae.
Short-horned Grasshoppers, Grasshoppers
Acrididae is the largest family of grasshoppers, comprising approximately 6,700–10,000 species within the suborder Caelifera. Members are characterized by short, stout antennae and auditory tympana located on the first abdominal segment. The family includes all locust species capable of forming destructive swarms, making it economically significant worldwide. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate the family originated in South America during the Paleocene, approximately 59 million years ago, rather than Africa as previously believed.
ovate shieldbacks
Aglaothorax is a genus of flightless katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as ovate shieldbacks. The genus comprises six described species distributed in the southwestern United States. These insects are characterized by their reduced or absent wings and compact, shield-like body form. The genus was established by Caudell in 1907.
Gurney's shieldback
Aglaothorax gurneyi, known as Gurney's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid described by Rentz and Birchim in 1968. The species was originally described as Neduba gurneyi before being transferred to the genus Aglaothorax. It belongs to the tribe Apteropedetini within the subfamily Tettigoniinae. The species has been documented in California.
ovate shieldback, ovate shield-back katydid
Aglaothorax ovata is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the ovate shieldback. It is found in North America and is characterized by its short wings and thickened pronotum that forms a shield over the thorax. Adults are active in late summer and fall. The species includes six recognized subspecies with varying distributions and morphological traits.
Agnostokasia is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Gurney and Rentz in 1964. The genus contains at least one described species, A. sublima. These grasshoppers belong to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a diverse group of North American grasshoppers commonly known as spur-throated grasshoppers due to a distinctive ventral projection on the prosternum.
Aridland Scrub Jumpers
Agroecotettix is a genus of medium-sized brachypterous grasshoppers in the subfamily Melanoplinae, containing 19 described species. These short-winged, flight-limited grasshoppers inhabit aridland scrub and desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus was revised in 2024 with the description of 16 new species, revealing previously unrecognized diversity in this cryptic group. Species identification relies primarily on male genitalia morphology.
lubberly band-winged grasshoppers
Agymnastus is a genus of band-winged grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, established by Scudder in 1897. The genus contains at least two described species: A. ingens (the lubberly band-winged grasshopper) and A. venerabilis. Members belong to the tribe Hippiscini within the subfamily Oedipodinae, placing them among the more specialized grasshopper lineages adapted to open habitats.
Aztec Spur-throated Grasshopper, Aztec spur-throat
Aidemona azteca is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae, commonly known as the Aztec spur-throat or Aztec Spur-throated Grasshopper. First described by Saussure in 1861, this species is native to Central America and parts of southern North America. It belongs to the subfamily Melanoplinae, a group of grasshoppers characterized by the presence of a spur or projection on the ventral surface of the throat (prosternum).
Gray Ground Cricket
Allonemobius griseus, commonly known as the Gray Ground Cricket, is a small cricket species in the family Trigonidiidae. Originally described as Nemobius griseus by Walker in 1904, it was later transferred to the genus Allonemobius. The species is documented from multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces, with iNaturalist observations indicating established populations in the field. Like other ground crickets, it is likely associated with ground-level vegetation and leaf litter habitats.
Tinkling Ground Cricket
Allonemobius tinnulus, commonly known as the tinkling ground cricket, is a small cricket species in the family Trigonidiidae. It is native to eastern North America and produces a distinctive high-pitched, tinkling song. The species was originally described as a subspecies of Nemobius fasciatus before being elevated to full species status. It inhabits forest floor environments and leaf litter.
Round-headed Katydids, False Katydids, Bush-crickets
Amblycorypha is a genus of North American round-headed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing approximately 14 described species. These insects are renowned for their exceptional leaf-mimicry, with wing venation closely matching the vein patterns of leaves. They are known for their acoustic communication, with males producing songs via stridulation to attract females. Some species reach prodigious sizes in tropical regions, and males provide nuptial gifts to females during mating.
Clicker Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha alexanderi, commonly known as the clicker round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Walker in 2003 and is native to North America. The species belongs to a genus known for remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage and acoustic communication through stridulation.
Sandhill Virtuoso Katydid
Amblycorypha arenicola is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. It is commonly known as the Sandhill Virtuoso Katydid and is associated with sandy habitats in the southeastern United States. The species has been recorded from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It belongs to the genus Amblycorypha, which includes several species of bush katydids.
Bartram's round-winged katydid
Amblycorypha bartrami, commonly known as Bartram's round-winged katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was described by Walker in 2003 and is found in North America. As a member of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group known for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage and acoustic communication through stridulation.
Cajun round-headed katydid
Amblycorypha cajuni is a species of round-headed katydid (bush-cricket) in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. Like other members of its genus, it possesses remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage with wing venation that closely resembles leaf veins. The species is known from the Gulf Coast region of the United States, specifically Louisiana and Mississippi. As with related Amblycorypha species, males produce courtship songs using stridulatory organs on their forewings, and females detect these songs through tympanal organs located on their forelegs.
Carinate Katydid
Amblycorypha carinata is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Rehn and Hebard in 1914. It occurs in the southeastern and eastern United States, with records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. The species belongs to a genus known for producing loud, distinctive calls. It has been documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus).
Texas false katydid
Amblycorypha huasteca, commonly known as the Texas false katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, a group renowned for exceptional leaf-mimicry. The species occurs in the south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other Amblycorypha, it produces species-specific songs through stridulation of forewing structures to attract mates.
Big Bend Oblong-winged Katydid, Big Bend False Katydid
Amblycorypha insolita is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Rehn & Hebard in 1914. Known as the Big Bend oblong-winged katydid or Big Bend false katydid, this species is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northeastern Mexico. It belongs to a genus renowned for exceptional camouflage and acoustic communication.
Common Virtuoso Katydid
Amblycorypha longinicta, commonly known as the Common Virtuoso Katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. Described by Walker in 2004, this species belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, which is distributed across North America and tropical Central America. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits remarkable leaf-mimicry through wing venation patterns that match leaf veins, providing effective camouflage against predators. The species is known to inhabit forested environments where its cryptic appearance allows it to blend seamlessly with vegetation.
Western Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha parvipennis, the western round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri. Males produce calling songs for acoustic communication, a key feature of their mating behavior. The species exhibits typical katydid traits including leaf-mimicking wing venation and sound production via forewing stridulation.
Rio Grande Valley False Katydid
Amblycorypha rivograndis is a species of round-headed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Thomas J. Walker in 2004. The specific epithet "rivograndis" refers to the Rio Grande Valley, indicating its geographic association with this region of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group commonly known as false katydids or bush-crickets, recognized for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage.
rattler round-winged katydid, Round-winged Katydids
Amblycorypha rotundifolia, commonly known as the rattler round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species is characterized by its rounded wings with venation that closely resembles leaf veins, providing effective camouflage. It belongs to a genus of katydids known for their acoustic communication and cryptic morphology. The species has been documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), which paralyzes katydids to provision its underground nests.
Uhler's virtuoso katydid, Uhler's katydid
Amblycorypha uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's virtuoso katydid or Uhler's katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a North American species known for its distinctive song produced by stridulation of the forewings. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it exhibits remarkable leaf-mimicry through wing venation patterns and green coloration, serving as camouflage against predators.
sand-treader crickets
Ammobaenetes is a genus of sand-treader crickets in the family Rhaphidophoridae, first described by Hubbell in 1936. The genus contains at least three to four described species distributed in arid regions of the southwestern United States. Members are specialized for life in sandy desert habitats, with morphological adaptations for burrowing and moving through loose sand. The genus is placed in the tribe Daihiniini within the subfamily Ceuthophilinae.
Jerusalem crickets, potato bugs, North American Jerusalem Crickets
Ammopelmatus is a genus of large, flightless crickets in the family Stenopelmatidae, commonly known as Jerusalem crickets or potato bugs. The genus was erected by Tinkham in 1965 and underwent massive taxonomic revision in 2025, expanding from 12 recognized species to 117 valid species across the western United States and northwestern Mexico. These insects are among the largest in western North America, with some adults exceeding 12 grams. The genus exhibits exceptional species diversity concentrated in Southern and Central California, with most species having limited geographic distributions.
Ammopelmatus monahansensis is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae, described by Stidham & Stidham in 2001. The genus Ammopelmatus comprises sand dune endemic species found in the southwestern United States. These flightless orthopterans are characterized by their large size, fossorial habits, and nocturnal activity patterns. A. monahansensis is one of several described species within this genus that are restricted to specific sand dune systems.
Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae, originally described by Tinkham & Rentz in 1969. It is one of 12 previously named taxa recognized as valid in a comprehensive 2025 revision of the genus. The species is endemic to parts of Southern California and is characterized by its distinctive black head. Like other Ammopelmatus species, it is a large, flightless orthopteran adapted to arid and semi-arid environments.
Pictured Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus pictus, commonly known as the Pictured Jerusalem Cricket, is a species of Jerusalem cricket in the family Stenopelmatidae. It was first described by Scudder in 1899. The species is endemic to California, with documented occurrences in the Central Valley, Diablo Range, and Silicon Valley regions. As a member of the Stenopelmatidae family, it belongs to a group of large, flightless orthopterans often referred to as Jerusalem crickets or potato bugs.
slant-faced grasshoppers
Amphitornus is a genus of slant-faced grasshoppers in the family Acrididae, subfamily Gomphocerinae, tribe Eritettigini. The genus contains at least two described species: Amphitornus coloradus (striped slant-face grasshopper) and Amphitornus durangus. Members of this genus are recognized as economically significant rangeland pests in the western United States, particularly in Wyoming and Colorado. Amphitornus coloradus is specifically noted as one of six major pest species in southeastern Wyoming and is characterized by early-season hatching in mid-spring.
Big-tooth Anabrus, Big-tooth Mormon cricket
Anabrus cerciata is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Caudell in 1907. It belongs to the genus Anabrus, which also includes the well-known Mormon cricket (Anabrus simplex). The species is found in western North America, with confirmed records from Oregon and Washington. It is less studied than its congener A. simplex, and detailed biological information remains limited.
Mormon Cricket
Anabrus simplex, commonly known as the Mormon cricket, is a large flightless shieldbacked katydid (family Tettigoniidae, subfamily Decticinae) native to western North America. Despite its common name, it is not a true cricket. The species is notable for its periodic outbreak populations that form large migratory bands, causing significant damage to rangeland forage and cultivated crops. It exhibits a sex-role reversed mating system where males provide nuptial gifts and females compete for mates. The species has been documented from low-elevation sagebrush steppe to alpine tundra above 11,000 feet.
Egyptian grasshopper, Egyptian locust, Egyptian Bird Grasshopper
One of the largest European grasshoppers, reaching up to 70 mm in females. Distinguished by striped eyes, blue hind tibiae, and orange hind femora with dark markings. Solitary and folivorous, inhabiting warm, bright environments from sea level to 1,500 m. Active year-round with adults most visible August–September; overwinters as adults and spawns in spring.
Calusa Trig
Anaxipha calusa is a species of winged bush cricket (family Trigonidiidae) described by Walker & Funk in 2014. The specific epithet 'calusa' references the Calusa people, an indigenous group historically inhabiting southwest Florida. This species belongs to the genus Anaxipha, which comprises small, often colorful crickets commonly known as 'trigs.'
chirping trig
Anaxipha delicatula, commonly known as the chirping trig, is a species of winged bush cricket in the family Trigonidiidae. It was first described by Scudder in 1878 and is native to North America. The species belongs to a group of small, often colorful crickets known as "trigs" that inhabit vegetation and produce characteristic chirping sounds.
Say's trig, Say's bush cricket
Anaxipha exigua is a small cricket species in the family Trigonidiidae, commonly known as Say's trig or Say's bush cricket. It belongs to the genus Anaxipha, whose members are often called "brown trigs." The species occurs across the Caribbean and North America, with documented records from states including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. As a member of the subfamily Trigonidiinae, it is among the "winged bush crickets" or "trigs," a group of small, often arboreal crickets.
Fulton's Trig
Anaxipha fultoni is a small cricket species in the family Trigonidiidae, commonly known as Fulton's Trig. Described in 2014, it belongs to a genus of ground and bush crickets distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. The species is known from Florida and represents part of the diverse cricket fauna of the southeastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a small, active cricket associated with vegetation.
Ruby Road Trig
A sword-tailed cricket described in 2019 from southeastern Arizona near the Mexico border. It is the only North American Anaxipha species with broad, glassy tegmina. The species name 'hyalicetra' references the translucent wing membrane.
Cuban trig
Anaxipha imitator, commonly known as the Cuban trig, is a species of cricket in the family Trigonidiidae. It was originally described by Saussure in 1878 as Cyrtoxiphus imitator before being transferred to the genus Anaxipha. The species is part of the diverse Grylloidea superfamily, which includes many small, often colorful crickets commonly referred to as 'trigs.'
Pink-spotted Trig
A small cricket species in the family Trigonidiidae, described from Florida in 2014. The common name refers to distinctive pink markings on the body. Like other members of the genus Anaxipha, it is a tiny, active cricket associated with vegetation.
Tidewater Trig
Small swordtail cricket described in 2014. Belongs to a genus of crickets distributed across eastern North America, with many species only recently described. Likely shares acoustic communication traits with congeners, including substrate-borne vibrational signaling.
Fast-tinkling Trig
Anaxipha tinnulacita is a small swordtail cricket described in 2014 from eastern North America. Males produce both calling songs and distinct courtship songs when in the presence of females. This species exhibits substrate-borne vibrational communication through drumming behavior, which is unique among studied congeners in commonly occurring during calling songs.
Spring Trig
Anaxipha vernalis is a small cricket in the family Trigonidiidae, commonly known as the Spring Trig. The species was formally described in 2014, distinguishing it from closely related congeners. It belongs to a genus of winged crickets distributed across the Americas, with this species occurring in eastern North America. The specific epithet 'vernalis' refers to its springtime activity period.
Hebard's blue-winged desert grasshopper
Anconia hebardi, commonly known as Hebard's blue-winged desert grasshopper, is a species of band-winged grasshopper described by Rehn in 1919. It belongs to the subfamily Oedipodinae, a group characterized by often colorful hind wings used in display flight. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
wētā, king crickets
Anostostomatidae is a family of large, nocturnal orthopterans in the superfamily Stenopelmatoidea, distributed across the southern hemisphere in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Americas. Members are commonly known as king crickets in Australia and South Africa, and wētā in New Zealand. The family exhibits considerable size variation, with some species exceeding 8 cm in length. Many species are flightless, though winged forms occur in some Australian and Asian genera. The family is notable for diverse feeding strategies including herbivory, scavenging, predation, and specialized fungal feeding.
Apote is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Scudder in 1897. The genus contains at least two described species: Apote notabilis (the notable apote) and Apote robusta (the robust apote). These insects belong to the subfamily Tettigoniinae and tribe Tettigoniini. Records indicate presence in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
robust apote
Apote robusta, commonly known as the robust apote, is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Caudell in 1907. The species is found in North America, with records from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada.
linear-winged grasshopper
Aptenopedes sphenarioides, commonly known as the linear-winged grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is a North American species with three recognized subspecies. The species has been documented across the southeastern United States with scattered records extending to the Great Plains.
Thread-legged Katydids
Arethaea is a genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as thread-legged katydids. The genus contains at least 14 described species distributed primarily in western and southwestern North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender legs and are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats including sand dunes, grasslands, and shrublands.
Big Bend Thread-leg Katydid, Spider-tail Thread-legged Katydid
Arethaea arachnopyga is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Rehn and Hebard in 1914. The species is known from the Big Bend region of Texas and adjacent Mexico, where it inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. Like other members of the genus Arethaea, it possesses the characteristic extremely slender, thread-like hind legs that give these katydids their common name.