Orthoptera

Common name:

Grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets

Distribution:

Every continent except Antarctica

Habitat:

Terrestrial habitats such as rock crevices, subterranean burrows, caves, treetops, peaks

Diet:

Plant material

Number of species globally

20000

Number of species in Hong Kong :

184

Morphology
(how to recognize them) :

-Cylindrical body
-Elongated hindlegs and musculature adapted for jumping
-Large compound eyes
-Antennae with multiple joints
-Wings or legs containing rows of corrugated bumps

Diagram

Did you know ?

Different orthopterans have different specific adaptations. Grasshoppers are active during the day and thus their colour is similar to the colour grass and flowers (green, yellow, pink). Crickets are usually nocturnal and hence, their bodies are darker in colour. Katydids are usually found on leaves and thus, are often green and have wings that look like leaves with veins or brown spots.