Eastern Mermiria
Mermiria intertexta
This record describes Mermiria intertexta (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
body long, narrow; face strongly slanted; antennae sword-shaped; dark middorsal line from front of head to rear of pronotum (a distinguishing characteristic); lacks distinct lateral ridges on dorsal surface of pronotum; dark brown or black stripe extends from rear margin of eye onto base of forewing; basal region of forewing contains narrow white streak (a distinguishing characteristic); hind tibiae long, thin, reddish
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Acrididae (Short-horned Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Gomphocerinae
- Genus
- Mermiria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
tall grasses and wet habitats
Geographic Range
coastal region of eastern United States from New Jersey to Florida
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Mermiria intertexta. 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 Eastern Mermiria (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Eastern Mermiria
What is Eastern Mermiria?
Eastern Mermiria (Mermiria intertexta) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Eastern Mermiria?
male body length 32-38 mm; female 33-58 mm
How do you identify Eastern Mermiria?
body long, narrow; face strongly slanted; antennae sword-shaped; dark middorsal line from front of head to rear of pronotum (a distinguishing characteristic); lacks distinct lateral ridges on dorsal surface of pronotum; dark brown or black stripe extends from rear margin of eye onto base of forewing; basal region of forewing contains narrow white streak (a distinguishing characteristic); hind tibiae long, thin, reddish
Where is Eastern Mermiria found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | tall grasses and wet habitats |
| Range | coastal region of eastern United States from New Jersey to Florida |