Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket
Ellipes deyrupi
This record describes Ellipes deyrupi (species). Recorded family: Tridactylidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance

Distinctive color pattern. Wings abbreviated.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Tridactylidae (Pygmy Mole 'Crickets')
- Genus
- Ellipes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Yellow sand scrub
Geographic Range
So far found only in Polk Co., FL, on the northern Lake Wales Ridge.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ellipes deyrupi Woo, 2021
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ellipes deyrupi. 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 Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket
What is Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket?
Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket (Ellipes deyrupi) is a species in the family Tridactylidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket?
Distinctive color pattern. Wings abbreviated.
Where is Deyrup's Pygmy Mole Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Yellow sand scrub |
| Range | So far found only in Polk Co., FL, on the northern Lake Wales Ridge. |
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