A big genus of grasshoppers is called Melanoplus. They are the common big grasshoppers seen in North America (and occasionally migratory “locusts“). Although “spur-throat grasshoppers” (also “spurthroat” or “spur-throated grasshoppers”) is a common term, it usually refers to members of the adjacent subfamily Catantopinae.
The majority of grasshoppers in this genus are smaller, although the largest can grow up to over 5 cm (2.0 in) in length. While some are boring, others have elaborate patterns and vibrant colors.
Melanoplus species consume a variety of grasses, as well as grassy and leafy garden plants and agricultural products. They consume tree bark, leaves, and occasionally fruit, flowers, and buds.
Classification of Melanoplus (Grasshopper)
Phylum – Arthropoda (Jointed Appendages)
Class – Insecta (3 pairs of legs.)
Sub-class – Pterygota (Winged insects.)
Division – Exopterygota (Wings develop externally.)
Order – Orthoptera (Straight wings.)
Genus – Melanoplus (Grasshopper)
Habit and habitat
Schistocerca is solitary, herbivorous insect found abundantly in the green vegetation. It feeds on the grass or leafy vegetation.
Distribution
It is commonly found in Africa, Arabia, India, Mexico, Japan, Philippines. Afghanistan and U.S.A.
Comments on Melanoplus (Grasshopper)
- Commonly known as grasshopper
- Body is differentiated into head, thorax and abdomen.
- Head contains chewing mouth parts with large compound eyes and elongated backwardly directed antennules.
- Pronotum although large is not noticeably elongated.
- Thorax is divided into proihorax, mesothorax and metathorax having foreleg, middle leg and hind leg respectively.
- Hind legs are modified for jumping and leaping and are called as Saltatoral legs.
- Thorax contains 2 pairs of wings. Forewings are opaque called as tegmen while hind wings are membraneous.
- Female has a long ovipositor. Eggs are laid in groups.
- Auditory organs are tympanum having stridulating organs.
- Abdomen contains 11 segments, each having a pair of spiracular opening in ventrolateral position.
- Nymphs are wingless.
Economic Status
Harmful insect destroying agricultural crops.
Identification
Since the insect contains jumping legs and all above features hence it is Melanopus.
See other posts also
- Schistocerca (Locust)
- Pinctada vulgaris
- ORGANIZATION OF COELOM
- Larval Forms in Echinodermata
- Larval Forms of Crustaceans