Loxilobus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loxilobus |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Caelifera |
| Family: | Tetrigidae |
| Subfamily: | Scelimeninae |
| Tribe: | Criotettigini |
| Genus: | Loxilobus Hancock, 1904 |
Loxilobus is a group of small insects known as ground-hoppers. These amazing creatures are a type of grasshopper and belong to a larger group called Orthoptera. Scientists first described this group in 1904. You can find different kinds of Loxilobus ground-hoppers in many parts of the world, including West Africa, across Asia, and even in Australia.
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What Are Loxilobus Ground-Hoppers?
Loxilobus ground-hoppers are part of the Scelimeninae subfamily. They are known for their unique body shapes. Unlike some other grasshoppers, ground-hoppers often have a special shield-like structure called a pronotum. This pronotum extends backwards and can cover most of their body, sometimes even reaching past their wings.
Where Do Loxilobus Live?
These interesting insects are found in various warm climates. Their homes stretch from the western parts of Africa all the way through different countries in Asia. They also live down in Australia. This wide range shows that they can adapt to many different environments, from forests to open fields.
What Do Loxilobus Look Like?
Loxilobus ground-hoppers are usually small to medium-sized. They often have colors that help them blend in with their surroundings, like browns, greens, or grays. This helps them hide from predators. Their bodies are built for jumping, just like other grasshoppers, with strong back legs. They also have antennae, which are like feelers, to sense their environment.
The Life Cycle of a Ground-Hopper
Like many insects, Loxilobus ground-hoppers go through a life cycle that includes different stages. They start as eggs, which are usually laid in the soil or in plant material. When the eggs hatch, tiny nymphs emerge. These nymphs look like smaller versions of the adult ground-hoppers but do not have fully developed wings. As they grow, nymphs shed their outer skin several times in a process called molting. Each time they molt, they get a little bigger and their wings develop more. Eventually, they become adult ground-hoppers, ready to reproduce and start the cycle again.
Different Kinds of Loxilobus
The Loxilobus group includes many different species. Each species has its own unique features, though they all share common traits of ground-hoppers. One important species is Loxilobus acutus, which was identified in 1904. This particular species is known as the type species for the group. This means it is the example that helps scientists define and understand all other species within the Loxilobus genus.
Here are some of the known species in the Loxilobus group:
- Loxilobus accola
- Loxilobus acutus (the type species)
- Loxilobus angulatus
- Loxilobus assamus
- Loxilobus bantu
- Loxilobus brunneri
- Loxilobus celebensis
- Loxilobus compactus
- Loxilobus desiderius
- Loxilobus dolichonotus
- Loxilobus formosanus
- Loxilobus insidiosus
- Loxilobus karnyi
- Loxilobus kraepelini
- Loxilobus leveri
- Loxilobus luzonicus
- Loxilobus manillensis
- Loxilobus novaebritanniae
- Loxilobus prominenoculus
- Loxilobus pulcher
- Loxilobus pullus
- Loxilobus rugosus
- Loxilobus saigonensis
- Loxilobus striatus
- Loxilobus tongbiguanensis
- Loxilobus truncatus
- Loxilobus willemsei
- Loxilobus zhengi
