Toltec Pygmy Grasshopper
Paratettix toltecus
This record describes Paratettix toltecus (species). Recorded family: Tetrigidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Fastigium as seen from above wider than width of one eye. Hind femur between 2.5 and 3 times as long as wide. Middle femur not lobed above and below (may be irregularly margined). Much like P. rugosus , but middle femur shorter; pronotum less rough with sharper lateral ridges toward the front. Has both short and long-winged individuals.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Tetrigidae (Pygmy Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Tetriginae
- Genus
- Paratettix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Paratettix toltecus. 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 Toltec Pygmy Grasshopper
What is Toltec Pygmy Grasshopper?
Toltec Pygmy Grasshopper (Paratettix toltecus) is a species in the family Tetrigidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Toltec Pygmy Grasshopper?
Fastigium as seen from above wider than width of one eye. Hind femur between 2.5 and 3 times as long as wide. Middle femur not lobed above and below (may be irregularly margined). Much like P. rugosus , but middle femur shorter; pronotum less rough with sharper lateral ridges toward the front. Has both short and long-winged individuals.
Where is Toltec Pygmy Grasshopper found?
Range: Texas