Pyrgomorphidae is a family of grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera; it is the only family in the superfamily Pyrgomorphoidea.[1] Pyrgomorphidae are found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate regions (though none are from US mainland),[1] but the vast majority of the family's approximately 500 species are from Africa, Asia and Australia.[2] Their name is probably derived from pyrgos (Greek: Πύργος) meaning "tower": a reference to the form (morph) of the head in the type genus Pyrgomorpha and other genera.

Pyrgomorphidae
Pyrgomorpha conica, a well-camouflaged species
Phymateus morbillosus, a toxic species with bright warning colours
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Caelifera
Superfamily: Pyrgomorphoidea
Family: Pyrgomorphidae
Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1874
Subfamilies and Tribes

See text

They may sometimes be known as "gaudy grasshoppers",[1] due to the striking, bright aposematic colouration of a number of genera, warning of their toxicity.[2] However, about 90% of the species in the family are harmless and well-camouflaged,[2] with a few, notably Sphenarium, even caught for human consumption.[3]

Subfamilies and tribes

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Incomplete list of genera and species:[1]

All tribes and selected genera only are shown here:

  • Tribe Brunniellini Kevan, 1963 - Philippines
  • Tribe Chapmanacridini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - W. Africa
  • Tribe Fijipyrgini Kevan, 1966 - Fiji
  • Tribe Geloiini Bolívar, 1905 - Madagascar
  • Tribe Gymnohippini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Madagascar
  • Tribe Ichthiacridini Kevan, Singh & Akbar, 1964 - Mexico
  • Tribe Ichthyotettigini Kevan, Singh & Akbar, 1964 - Mexico
  • Tribe Malagasphenini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Madagascar
  • Tribe Mitricephalini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Malesia
  • Tribe Nereniini Kevan, 1964 - Vietnam, PNG
  • Tribe Orthacridini Bolívar, 1905 - E. Africa, Madagascar, India, Indo-China
 
Neorthacris simulans at Kadavoor, Kerala, India
  • Tribe Popoviini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - E. Africa to India
  • Tribe Psednurini Burr, 1904 - Australia
  • Tribe Sagittacridini Descamps & Wintrebert, 1966 - Madagascar
  • Tribe Verduliini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Philippines to PNG

Some notable genera and species are shown here:

  • Tribe Atractomorphini - Africa, Asia, Australia
 
Atractomorpha similis
 
Immature Dictyophorus spumans Cedarberg South Africa
 
Phymateus morbillosus. Male. Common milkweed locust photographed in thorn tree (African acacia sp.) at Sterkfontein
  • Tribe Poekilocerini Burmeister, 1840 - Africa, India, Indo-China, Malesia, PNG
  • Tribe Psednurini - Australia
  • Tribe Pseudomorphacridini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Indo-China
  • Tribe Pyrgomorphini - Africa, W. Asia through to India
  • Tribe Schulthessiini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Madagascar
  • Tribe Sphenariini Bolívar, 1884 - Central America, Africa, China
  • Tribe Tagastini Bolívar, 1905 - SE Asia
  • Tribe Taphronotini Bolívar, 1904 - Africa, India, Indo-China

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Family Pyrgomorphidae Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1874: Orthoptera Species File".
  2. ^ a b c Mariño-Pérez, R.; Song, H. (2017). "Phylogeny of the grasshopper family Pyrgomorphidae(Caelifera, Orthoptera) based on morphology". Systematic Entomology. 43 (1): 90–108. doi:10.1111/syen.12251.
  3. ^ Cerritos, R.; Cano-Santana, Z. (2008). "Harvesting grasshoppers Sphenarium purpurascens in Mexico for human consumption: A comparison with insecticidal control for managing pest outbreaks". Crop Protection. 27 (3–5): 473–480. Bibcode:2008CrPro..27..473C. doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2007.08.001.
  4. ^ a b "Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Locusts)". anic.ento.csiro.au. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  5. ^ "2. Petasida ephippigera White".
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