Orthoptera is an order of insects that comprises the grasshoppers, locusts and crickets, including closely related insects such as the katydids and wetas. The order is subdivided into two suborders: Caelifera – grasshoppers, locusts and close relatives; and Ensifera – crickets and close relatives.
The Acrididae are the predominant family of grasshoppers, comprising some 10,000 of the 11,000 species of the entire suborder Caelifera. The Acrididae are best known because all locusts are of the Acrididae. The subfamily Oedipodinae is sometimes classified as a distinct family Oedipodidae in the superfamily Acridoidea. Acrididae grasshoppers are characterized by relatively short and stout antennae, and tympana on the side of the first abdominal segment.
The Caelifera are a suborder of orthopteran insects. They include the grasshoppers and grasshopper-like insects, as well as other superfamilies classified with them: the ground-hoppers (Tetrigoidea) and pygmy mole crickets (Tridactyloidea). The latter should not be confused with the mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae), which belong to the other Orthopteran sub-order Ensifera.
Miramella is a small genus of short-horned grasshoppers in the subfamily Melanoplinae. They are found in Europe and eastern Asia. As of January 2019, Orthoptera Species File lists seven species in three subgenera. The genus was first named in 1932. Miramella is the type genus of the subtribe Miramellina.
The African rice grasshopper, Hieroglyphus daganensis is a medium-sized grasshopper species found in the Sahel region. Although not called a locust in English, this species shows gregarious behaviour and some morphological change on crowding and may become a moderately important pest species for small-holder farmers in the region.
Acridoidea is a superfamily of grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera with species found on every continent except Antarctica.
Calliptamus siciliae, common name pygmy pincer grasshopper, is a species of 'short-horned grasshoppers' belonging to the family Acrididae subfamily Calliptaminae.
Phymateus aegrotus, the East African Bush Locusts, is a locust in the family Pyrgomorphidae.
Anacridium moestum, the camouflaged tree locust, is a species of grasshopper belonging to the family Acrididae, that is native to Africa south of the equator. It is similar in appearance to the Southern African desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria subsp. flavicentris. It is likewise brownish, large and slender, but mostly arboreal in its habits.
Acrididea including the Acridomorpha is an infraorder of insects that best describe the grasshoppers or grasshopper-like families. It contains a large majority of species in the suborder Caelifera and the taxon Acridomorpha may also be used, which excludes the Tetrigoidea (ground-hoppers). Both names are derived from older texts, such as Imms, which placed the "short-horned grasshoppers" and locusts at the family level (Acrididae). The study of grasshopper species is called acridology.
Calephorus compressicornis is a species of grasshopper in the tribe Calephorini found in Europe and Africa.
The Pneumoridae are a family of nocturnal short-horned grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera, commonly known as the bladder grasshoppers. Their centre of diversity is in southern Africa, but one species occurs as far north as South Sudan. Most adult males acquire an inflated abdomen, a specialization for amplified sound production, which is likely its primary function. Most genera display striking sexual dimorphism, and several species exhibit a dual male phenotype.
The Trigonopterygoidea are an insect superfamily in the Orthoptera: Caelifera. Sometimes described as leaf grasshoppers, American species in the Xyronotidae have also been called razor-backed bush-hoppers.
Pamphagodidae is a small family of grasshoppers in the Orthoptera: suborder Caelifera. Species in this family can be found in southern Africa and Morocco.
The Lathiceridae are a family of grasshoppers, in the Orthoptera: suborder Caelifera. Species in this family can be found in southern Africa.
The Lentulidae are a family of grasshoppers found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Lithidiidae are a family of grasshoppers, in the Orthoptera: suborder Caelifera. Species in this family can be found in Africa.
The Tristiridae are a family of grasshoppers, in the Orthoptera: suborder Caelifera. Species in this family can be found in the Americas.
The Hemiacridinae are a subfamily of Acrididae in the Orthoptera: Caelifera. Species can be found in Africa, and Asia.
Xenocatantops is a genus of grasshoppers in the subfamily Catantopinae and tribe Catantopini. Species can be found in Africa, India, China, Indo-China and Malesia.
