Ammopelmatus pictus
This record describes Ammopelmatus pictus (species). Recorded family: Stenopelmatidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Black markings on the head in both sexes is diagnostic - Alice Abela/David Weissman It is possible that more than one species are represented by the BugGuide photos placed under this species, as the genus is currently being revised.
Wikipedia reference for Ammopelmatus pictus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammopelmatus_pictus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Stenopelmatidae (Jerusalem Crickets)
- Genus
- Ammopelmatus (Jerusalem Cricket)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ammopelmatus pictus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ammopelmatus pictus (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban