Orthoptera

This group includes locusts, crickets, grasshoppers ,katydids and wetas. There are 20000 species, split into the Ensifera (crickets, wetas and katydids ) and Caelifera ( grasshoppers, locusts ). Orthoptera means straight wing.

They have an elongated body , with long hind legs which are adapted for jumping . The forewing is smaller than the rear , and firmer. The rear wings are membranous and fold up like a fan at rest.

Katydids tend to have long antennae whilst grasshoppers are shorter. They have large compound eyes.

They can sing (stridulation) by rubbing the wings against each other or the legs (both have bumps on to increase friction). They have an ear -in front tibia of crickets and on the abdomen in grasshoppers.

The larvae are known as nymphs and resemble the adults but have no wings , so move by hopping

Locusts are famous for swarming into groups over 60 million or more .They can eat their own body weight every day.