Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper
Tetrix ornata
This record describes Tetrix ornata (species). Recorded family: Tetrigidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
See comments under T. brunneri. Differs from T. subulata in being generally stockier, and in having the median ridge on top of the head prodtruding slightly but prominently beyond front of head (ending at front in T. subulata). The face is very little indented (nearly straight) just above antennae (indented fairly obviously in T. ornata, and strongly in T. brunneri). In T. arenosus, the fastigium is roughly flat in front (instead of angled), and has the median ridge protruding somewhat as in this species. Also, the top of the pronotum is very flat and has the median ridge less developed.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Caelifera
- Family
- Tetrigidae (Pygmy Grasshoppers)
- Subfamily
- Tetriginae
- Genus
- Tetrix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mostly damp sandy/gravelly areas along edges of streams/rivers, sometimes other similarly damp areas, or wandering into drier areas nearby. Long-winged individuals are accomplished fliers.
Geographic Range
so. Canada and much of the US
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tetrix ornata ( Say 1824)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Tetrix ornata. 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 Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by cotinis , David Ferguson , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper
What is Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper?
Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper (Tetrix ornata) is a species in the family Tetrigidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper?
See comments under T. brunneri. Differs from T. subulata in being generally stockier, and in having the median ridge on top of the head prodtruding slightly but prominently beyond front of head (ending at front in T. subulata). The face is very little indented (nearly straight) just above antennae (indented fairly obviously in T. ornata, and strongly in T. brunneri). In T. arenosus, the fastigium is roughly flat in front (instead of angled), and has the median ridge protruding somewhat as in this species. Also, the top of the pronotum is very flat and has the median ridge less developed.
Where is Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly damp sandy/gravelly areas along edges of streams/rivers, sometimes other similarly damp areas, or wandering into drier areas nearby. Long-winged individuals are accomplished fliers. |
| Range | so. Canada and much of the US |