Biology Encyclopedia	Orthoptera Latreille, 1793 “translation of the latin”
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Common Names

Orthopterans include grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts.

Latin Synonyms

Linnaean Rank

Order

Ancestral Phylogeny and Taxonomy

Lineage

Terrabiota, Cytota, Neomura, Eukaryota, Unikonta, Opisthoknota, Animalia, Metazoa, Eumetazoa, Bilateria, Protostomia, Ecdysozoa, Panarthropoda, Arthropoda, Mandibulata, Pancrustacea, Hexapoda, Insecta,---

Descendant Phylogeny and Taxonomy

Explanation of phylogenetic trees

Morphology

Most orthopterans are medium-size to large, winged insects with powerful jumping legs.  They all have chewing mouthparts.  Adults, if they have wings at all, possess four wings that can be fully developed or reduced in size.  The forewings, or tegmina (singular: tegmen), are slightly thickened and interlaced with veins; they cover the pleated and fanlike hindwings (Evans, 2008).

Distribution

Ecology

Most species are herbivores, although a few supplement  their diets with living or dead insects (Evans, 2008). 

Ethology

Plagues of crickets and grasshoppers have invaded homes and ravaged crops for centuries (Evans, 2008). 

Evolution

Development

Ethnobiology

Population

Notes and Comments

References

Literature

Evans, Arthur V.  (2008).  National Wildlife Federation field guide to insects and spiders of North America.  Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.  ISBN 1-4027-4153-7.  p. 91

Information on the Internet