Short-horned grasshoppers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acrididae |
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| Bark Mimicking Grasshopper, Coryphistes ruricola | |
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Acridoidea
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Acrididae
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The Acrididae are a very large family of grasshoppers. They include most of the grasshoppers you might see! Out of about 11,000 different types of grasshoppers, around 10,000 belong to the Acrididae family. This makes them the main group of grasshoppers in the world.
This family is most famous because it includes all the grasshoppers known as locusts. However, it's important to remember that not all Acrididae are locusts. The term 'locust' is only used for certain grasshoppers that can gather in huge groups and swarm. When they swarm, they can cause a lot of damage to crops.
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What Makes Acrididae Special?
Acrididae grasshoppers have some unique features. They usually have antennae (feelers) that are relatively short and thick. These antennae help them sense their surroundings.
They also have special ear-like organs called tympana. These tympana look like drum-like patches. You can find them on the side of their first body part, right behind their head. These organs help them hear sounds.
The name Acrididae comes from an old Greek word, akris. This word means 'locust', which shows how important locusts are within this family.
Locusts: Swarming Grasshoppers
Locusts are a special type of Acrididae grasshopper. They are known for their ability to change their behavior and appearance. This change happens when their population becomes very large.
When there are many grasshoppers in one place, they become crowded. This crowding triggers a change in their bodies and behavior. They start to move together in huge groups. These groups are called swarms.
Locust swarms can be enormous. They can fly for long distances, sometimes across entire countries. When a swarm lands, they eat almost all the plants in their path. This can destroy farms and cause big problems for people.
Scientists study locusts to understand why they swarm. They try to predict when and where swarms might happen. This helps farmers protect their crops from these hungry insects.
Where Do Acrididae Live?
Acrididae grasshoppers live all over the world. You can find them in many different habitats. They live in grasslands, deserts, forests, and even in your backyard!
They are very adaptable insects. They can survive in both hot and dry places, and in areas with more moisture. Their ability to eat many types of plants helps them live in various environments.
What Do Acrididae Eat?
Most Acrididae grasshoppers are herbivores. This means they eat plants. They mainly feed on grasses and other leafy plants. They use their strong jaws to chew through plant material.
Because they eat plants, they play an important role in ecosystems. They help break down plant matter. However, when they become locusts, their eating habits can become a problem for humans.
Images for kids
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Calliptamus italicus (Calliptaminae)
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Pezotettix giornae (Pezotettiginae)
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Egyptian grasshopper Anacridium aegyptium (Cyrtacanthacridinae)
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Caryanda spuria (Caryandinae)
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Eucoptacra anguliflava female (Coptacrinae)
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Eyprepocnemis plorans plorans
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Rhytidochrota risaraldae
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Tropidopola cylindrica (Tropidopolinae)
See also
In Spanish: Acrididae para niños
