Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper
Melanoplus tequestae
This record describes Melanoplus tequestae (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male cercus Sympatric with M. forcipatus on the Lake Wales Ridge
Identification notes
Male cercus
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
Open scrub oak
Geographic Range
Known only from the central sand ridge area of central Florida, bounded by the Orlando area to the north and the Lake Okeechobee area to the south
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for a tribe of Native Americans that inhabited the lower east coast of Florida at the time of Spanish exploration
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Melanoplus tequestae. 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 Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by David Ferguson , metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper
What is Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper?
Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper (Melanoplus tequestae) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper?
Male cercus
Where is Tequestae Scrub Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open scrub oak |
| Range | Known only from the central sand ridge area of central Florida, bounded by the Orlando area to the north and the Lake Okeechobee area to the south |