Texas turp
Turpiliodes mexicanum
This record describes Turpiliodes mexicanum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Hebard (1932): [The genus Turpiliodes] is distinguished from Turpilia by the strongly sulcate dorsal surfaces of the cephalic and median tibiae. The material here recorded shows the following additional differences; fastigium slender, tapering to a sharply rounded apex which is separated from the facial fastigium by a brief space; pronotal lateral lobes with humeral sinus deeper and more sharply rounded, their caudal margin more oblique, and ventral margins of median femora unarmed.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Turpiliodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
MX; recently discovered in TX
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Turpiliodes mexicanum. 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 turp (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera; Additional contributions by Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas turp
What is Texas turp?
Texas turp (Turpiliodes mexicanum) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Texas turp?
Hebard (1932): [The genus Turpiliodes] is distinguished from Turpilia by the strongly sulcate dorsal surfaces of the cephalic and median tibiae. The material here recorded shows the following additional differences; fastigium slender, tapering to a sharply rounded apex which is separated from the facial fastigium by a brief space; pronotal lateral lobes with humeral sinus deeper and more sharply rounded, their caudal margin more oblique, and ventral margins of median femora unarmed.
Where is Texas turp found?
Range: MX; recently discovered in TX