Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper
Melanoplus indicifer
This record describes Melanoplus indicifer (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Tip of male abdomen Deyrup (1996) found the species on only 3 vacant lots and speculated that it might soon become extinct - but it still occurs in at least two protected areas as of 2022.
Identification notes
Tip of male abdomen
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Melanoplinae
- Tribe
- Melanoplini
- Genus
- Melanoplus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Florida scrub, with open patches of sand and low scrubby oaks
Geographic Range
Restricted to the Atlantic Coastal Ridge of the southeastern coast of Florida, north of West Palm Beach
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus indicifer. 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 Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper
What is Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper?
Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper (Melanoplus indicifer) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper?
Tip of male abdomen
Where is Spinecercus Short-wing Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Florida scrub, with open patches of sand and low scrubby oaks |
| Range | Restricted to the Atlantic Coastal Ridge of the southeastern coast of Florida, north of West Palm Beach |