Orthoptera of the Northern Great Plains


Ensifera

    Ensifera (Long-horned hoppers): Males with conical cerci projecting from the end of the abdomen. Each cercus nearly always has an inner tooth. Females with a blade-like (ensiform) or rod-like (lanceolate) ovipositor. Exception: Males of Scudderia/ bush katydids, have a long Y-shaped dorsal process and an upturned ventral process which resembles an ovipositor. In side view, the abdomen appears have a posterior set of 'tongs.' The smaller cerci are curled inward and situated laterally at the end of the abdomen. Females of Scudderia have a sharply upturned, blade-like ovipositor.

 

EI. Katydids and allies (Tettigoniidae).

a. Tarsi of mesothoracic leg four segmented.

b. Tympanum on foretibia.

c. Usually winged with tegmina held roof-like.

d. Thoracic spiracle greatly enlarged and functioning as a secondary auditory organ.

e. Ovipositor flattened and blade-like.

E2. True crickets (Gryllidae).

a. Tarsi of mesothoracic leg three segmented.

b. Tympanum on foretibia.

c. Usually winged with tegmina laying flat over abdomen.

d. Metathoracic spiracle not enlarged.

e. Ovipositor almost always ‘rod-like.’

E3. Mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae).

a. Forelegs modified for digging (fossorial).

b. Tarsi of mesothoracic leg three segmented.

c. Adults larger than 2 cm.

E4. Sand crickets (Stenopelmatidae).

a. Tarsi of mesothoracic leg four segmented.

b. Tympanum absent.

c. Wingless.

d. Antennae shorter than body.

e. Metathoracic leg not strongly saltatorial.

E5. Camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae).

a. Tarsi of mesothoracic legs four segmented.

b. Tympana absent.

c. Wingless.

d. Hump-backed appearance.

e. Ovipositor ‘blade-like.’

 


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