Pyrgomorphidae is a family of grasshoppers in the order Orthoptera; it is the only family in the superfamily Pyrgomorphoidea. Pyrgomorphidae are found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate regions (though none are from US mainland), but the vast majority of the family's approximately 500 species are from Africa, Asia and Australia. Their name is probably derived from pyrgos (Greek: Πύργος) meaning "tower": a reference to the form (morph) of the head in the type genus Pyrgomorpha and other genera.
They may sometimes be known as "gaudy grasshoppers", due to the striking, bright aposematic colouration of a number of genera, warning of their toxicity. However, about 90% of the species in the family are harmless and well-camouflaged, with a few, notably Sphenarium, even caught for human consumption.
Subfamilies and tribes Incomplete list of genera and species:
Subfamily Orthacridinae All tribes and selected genera only are shown here: Tribe Brunniellini Kevan, 1963 - Philippines Tribe Chapmanacridini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - W. Africa Tribe Fijipyrgini Kevan, 1966 - Fiji Tribe Geloiini Bolívar, 1905 - Madagascar Tribe Gymnohippini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Madagascar Tribe Ichthiacridini Kevan, Singh & Akbar, 1964 - Mexico Tribe Ichthyotettigini Kevan, Singh & Akbar, 1964 - Mexico Tribe Malagasphenini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Madagascar Tribe Mitricephalini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Malesia Tribe Nereniini Kevan, 1964 - Vietnam, PNG Genus Nerenia: Nerenia francoisi Bolívar, 1905 (monotypic) Genus Megradina: Megradina festiva Storozhenko, 2004 (monotypic) Tribe Orthacridini Bolívar, 1905 - E. Africa, Madagascar, India, Indo-China
Genus Kuantania Miller, 1935 Genus Neorthacris Kevan & Singh, 1964 Genus Orthacris Bolívar, 1884 Tribe Popoviini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - E. Africa to India Genus Popovia Uvarov, 1952 Tribe Psednurini Burr, 1904 - Australia Tribe Sagittacridini Descamps & Wintrebert, 1966 - Madagascar Tribe Verduliini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Philippines to PNG
Subfamily Pyrgomorphinae Some notable genera and species are shown here: Tribe Atractomorphini - Africa, Asia, Australia
Genus Atractomorpha Tribe Chlorizeinini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Africa, Asia Genus Chlorizeina Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893 Tribe Chrotogonini Bolívar, 1904 - Africa, Asia Tribe Desmopterini - W. Africa, Asia, Australia Genus Desmoptera: including Desmoptera truncatipennis Tribe Dictyophorini - Africa
Genus Dictyophorus: including Dictyophorus spumans Tribe Monistriini - Australia Genus Monistria: including Monistria cicatricosa and Monistria pustulifera Tribe Omurini Kevan, 1961 - South America Tribe Petasidini - Australia Genus Petasida: including Petasida ephippigera (Leichhardt's grasshopper) Tribe Phymateini - Africa (incl. Madagascar), China
Genus Phymateus Genus Zonocerus Tribe Poekilocerini Burmeister, 1840 - Africa, India, Indo-China, Malesia, PNG Genus Poekilocerus Serville, 1831 Tribe Psednurini - Australia Genus Psednura Tribe Pseudomorphacridini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Indo-China Genus Pseudomorphacris Carl, 1916 Tribe Pyrgomorphini - Africa, W. Asia through to India Genus Parasphena Bolívar, 1884 Genus Pyrgomorpha Serville, 1838 Genus Pyrgomorphella Bolívar, 1904 Tribe Schulthessiini Kevan & Akbar, 1964 - Madagascar Tribe Sphenariini Bolívar, 1884 - Central America, Africa, China Genus Sphenarium Charpentier, 1845 Tribe Tagastini Bolívar, 1905 - SE Asia Genus Tagasta Bolívar, 1905 Tribe Taphronotini Bolívar, 1904 - Africa, India, Indo-China Genus Aularches Stål, 1873: monotypic Aularches miliaris
References
External links
Pyrgomorphoidea at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility Portal