← Gallery II · The Orders
No. 07 · Hemimetabolous
Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids
Orthoptera
~25,000
Described species
~28
Families
Introduction
Orthoptera are the great jumpers — and the great singers — of the insect world.
Field marks
Key ID traits.
Greatly enlarged hind legs for jumping (saltatorial). Leathery forewings cover folded hindwings. Most males produce sound by stridulation. Chewing mouthparts.
Etymology
Greek orthos 'straight' + pteron 'wing'
Wings
Variable
Diet
Herbivore · Omnivore
Habitat
Terrestrial
Notable examples
American grasshopper, field cricket, mole cricket, Mormon cricket, katydids, locusts, camel crickets.
Where to look