Locusts are various species of short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae that have a swarming phase. These insects are usually solitary, but under certain circumstances they become more abundant and change their behaviour and habits, becoming gregarious. No taxonomic distinction is made between locust and grasshopper species; the basis for the definition is whether a species forms swarms under intermittently suitable conditions; this has evolved independently in multiple lineages, comprising at least 18 genera in 5 different subfamilies.
Ceratiola is a genus of flowering plants with a single species, Ceratiola ericoides, a shrub endemic to the Southeastern United States.
Grasshoppers are a group of insects belonging to the suborder Caelifera. They are amongst what are possibly the most ancient living groups of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic around 250 million years ago.
Schistocerca nitens is a species of grasshopper known by several names, including vagrant grasshopper and gray bird grasshopper. It is a close relative of the desert locust, which is in the same genus. This grasshopper is native to southern North America including Mexico and the south-western United States from California to Texas. Vagrants are occasionally found in Colorado, Utah, and Oklahoma, where the winters are too cold for them to survive, otherwise. It is also present in parts of Central and South America. It lives in many habitats including desert, woodland, and lower elevation mountainous areas. This species is known as a pest on ornamental plants and many types of crop plants.
Schistocerca is a genus of grasshoppers, commonly called bird grasshoppers, many of which swarm as locusts. The best known species is probably the desert locust and trans-Atlantic flight may explain the biogeography of some locust species.
The Florida scrub jay is one of the species of scrub jay native to North America. It is the only species of bird endemic to the U.S. state of Florida and one of only 15 species endemic to the continental United States. Because of this, it is keenly sought by birders. It is known to have been present in Florida as a distinct species for at least 2 million years, and is possibly derived from the ancestors of Woodhouse's scrub jay.
Liatris ohlingerae is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Florida blazing star, Florida gayfeather, scrub blazing star, and sandtorch. It is endemic to Florida in the United States, where it occurs only on the Lake Wales Ridge along with many other rare plants. It is threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat, and it is federally listed as an endangered species.
Asclepias curtissii, or Curtiss's milkweed, is a rare species of flowering milkweed that is endemic to Florida's sandy areas. Curtiss's milkweed belongs to the subfamily Asclepiadoideae and the genus Asclepias. This dicotyledonous, perennial plant was placed on the endangered species list by the state of Florida to protect this rare milkweed. Although Curtiss milkweed is found all over Florida, the populations are very isolated and concentrated.
Schistocerca americana is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae known commonly as the American grasshopper and American bird grasshopper. It is native to North America, where it occurs in the eastern United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Occasional, localized outbreaks of this grasshopper occur, and it is often referred to as a locust, though it lacks the true swarming form of its congener, the desert locust.
Schistocerca alutacea, the leather-colored bird grasshopper, is a species of grasshopper in the family Acrididae. The species occurs in the United States, from Massachusetts to Arizona and Florida.
Melanoplus forcipatus is a species of grasshopper in the subfamily Melanoplinae, in the family Acrididae. The species is known generally as the "toothcercus shortwing grasshopper" or "broad cercus scrub grasshopper". It is endemic to scrub and sandhill communities in Highlands and Orange counties in Florida.
Eotettix is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. There are about 6 described species in Eotettix.
Schistocerca albolineata, the white-lined bird grasshopper, is a species of bird grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America, often near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Hesperotettix is a genus of spur-throated grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. There are about 9 described species in Hesperotettix.
Odontomachus clarus is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. It is endemic to Florida scrubs on the Lake Wales Ridge in Florida.
Schistocerca rubiginosa, the rusty bird grasshopper, is a species of bird grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America and South America.
Melanoplus tequestae, known generally as the tequestae scrub grasshopper or tequesta grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is endemic to Florida scrubs in Highlands, Orange, and Seminole counties in Florida.
Melanoplus indicifer, known generally as the spinecercus short-wing grasshopper or east coast scrub grasshopper, is a species of spur-throated grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is endemic to Florida scrubs on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States.
Schistocerca lineata, known generally as the spotted bird grasshopper or birdwing grasshopper, is a species of bird grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America.
Schistocerca damnifica, known generally as the mischievous bird grasshopper or Carolina locust, is a species of bird grasshopper in the family Acrididae. It is found in North America.
