Morse's Wingless Grasshopper
Gymnoscirtetes morsei
This record describes Gymnoscirtetes morsei (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to M. pusillus , but found more northwestard in northern Florida and adjacent Alabama. Differs in slightly larger average size. Male subgenital plant with the upper margin more elevated at the front, and with higher narrow lobe in the middle at the rear. Also, male cerci distinctly down-curved at tip.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Podismini
- Genus
- Gymnoscirtetes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Prefers "wet area and wiregrass in Pine forests" [Capinera, 1999].
Geographic Range
northern Florida and southern Alabama.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Gymnoscirtetes morsei. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Morse's Wingless Grasshopper
What is Morse's Wingless Grasshopper?
Morse's Wingless Grasshopper (Gymnoscirtetes morsei) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Morse's Wingless Grasshopper?
Similar to M. pusillus , but found more northwestard in northern Florida and adjacent Alabama. Differs in slightly larger average size. Male subgenital plant with the upper margin more elevated at the front, and with higher narrow lobe in the middle at the rear. Also, male cerci distinctly down-curved at tip.
Where is Morse's Wingless Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Prefers wet area and wiregrass in Pine forests [Capinera, 1999]. |
| Range | northern Florida and southern Alabama. |