Wingless Florida Grasshopper
Floritettix aptera
This record describes Floritettix aptera (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Otte (2014) split this 'species' into two genera and numerous species. See under Remarks on the Aptenopedes genus page
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Floritettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry areas, especially oak scrub.
Geographic Range
Central FL
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Floritettix aptera. 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 Wingless Florida Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by cotinis , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Wingless Florida Grasshopper
What is Wingless Florida Grasshopper?
Wingless Florida Grasshopper (Floritettix aptera) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Wingless Florida Grasshopper?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | 15-21 mm. |
| Female | 21-33 mm. |
How do you identify Wingless Florida Grasshopper?
Otte (2014) split this 'species' into two genera and numerous species.
Where is Wingless Florida Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry areas, especially oak scrub. |
| Range | Central FL |