Texas Mermiria
Mermiria texana
This record describes Mermiria texana (species). Recorded family: Acrididae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
dorsum of head and thorax has two pale ivory or cream-colored bands, converging at midsection of forewings; forewing (tegmen) has 2 white streaks near costa [a short streak over base of hind leg, and a longer one over abdomen] and a long white streak along inner margin - see drawing (link updated 3/22/21) at orthoptera.org (also see detailed description in PDF doc )
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
grassy areas of rocky slopes; adults are attracted to light
Geographic Range
Colorado, south to California, Texas, and into Mexico
Seasonal Activity
June and July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: grasses
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Mermiria texana. 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 Texas Mermiria (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by cotinis , David Ferguson , Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Mermiria
What is Texas Mermiria?
Texas Mermiria (Mermiria texana) is a species in the family Acrididae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Texas Mermiria?
body length 27-50 mm
How do you identify Texas Mermiria?
dorsum of head and thorax has two pale ivory or cream-colored bands, converging at midsection of forewings; forewing (tegmen) has 2 white streaks near costa [a short streak over base of hind leg, and a longer one over abdomen] and a long white streak along inner margin - see drawing (link updated 3/22/21) at orthoptera.org (also see detailed description in PDF doc )
Where is Texas Mermiria found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | grassy areas of rocky slopes; adults are attracted to light |
| Range | Colorado, south to California, Texas, and into Mexico |
What does Texas Mermiria eat?
The diet of the Texas Mermiria includes grasses.
When is Texas Mermiria active?
Texas Mermiria: seasonal activity - June and July.