Ellipes gurneyi
This record describes Ellipes gurneyi (species). Recorded family: Tridactylidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Antennae | Antennae of male with 11 and female with 12 segments (as in E. californicus and E. monticolus ). |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with narrow pale border at lateral and caudal sides, central disk mostly black with a few pale spurs. Caudal margin of female subgenital plate rounded, without median truncated process. In Florida populations, the white rim of the eyes continues forward to almost the anterior border of the forehead, which can be used to distinguish these specimens from E. minuta even if the antennae are missing. |
Wikipedia reference for Ellipes gurneyi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipes_gurneyi.
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
Geographic Range
Reported from CA, AZ, OR, IL, MI, IN, PA, and FL; also from Baja California and Sinaloa, MX. Discontinuous distribution likely due to confusion with E. minuta .
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ellipes gurneyi. 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 Ellipes gurneyi (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Ellipes gurneyi
What is Ellipes gurneyi?
Ellipes gurneyi is a species in the family Tridactylidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Ellipes gurneyi?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Antennae | Antennae of male with 11 and female with 12 segments (as in E. californicus and E. monticolus ). |
| Pronotum | Pronotum with narrow pale border at lateral and caudal sides, central disk mostly black with a few pale spurs. Caudal margin of female subgenital plate rounded, without median truncated process. In Florida populations, the white rim of the eyes continues forward to almost the anterior border of the forehead, which can be used to distinguish these specimens from E. minuta even if the antennae are missing. |
Where is Ellipes gurneyi found?
Range: Reported from CA, AZ, OR, IL, MI, IN, PA, and FL; also from Baja California and Sinaloa, MX. Discontinuous distribution likely due to confusion with E. minuta .