Handsome Florida Grasshopper
Eotettix signatus
This record describes Eotettix signatus (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The other two Eotettix species have round to oval forewings that are shorter than the pronotum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Eotettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
can be found in moist or dry areas such as open pine forests or prairies; often abundant around ponds
Geographic Range
FL
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Eotettix signatus. 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 Handsome Florida Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Handsome Florida Grasshopper
What is Handsome Florida Grasshopper?
Handsome Florida Grasshopper (Eotettix signatus) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Handsome Florida Grasshopper?
The other two Eotettix species have round to oval forewings that are shorter than the pronotum
Where is Handsome Florida Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | can be found in moist or dry areas such as open pine forests or prairies; often abundant around ponds |
| Range | FL |