Short-horned Grasshoppers (Family Acrididae)

Acrididae, commonly known as the short-horned grasshoppers and locusts, is the largest and most diverse family within the superfamily Acridoidea (Order Orthoptera). The family has a worldwide distribution, occurring on all continents except Antarctica, and is especially abundant in open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, deserts, steppes, agricultural fields, and mountainous regions.

Members of Acrididae are typically medium to large-sized insects with a robust body and powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. A key characteristic of the family is the presence of relatively short antennae, usually shorter than the combined length of the head and pronotum. The pronotum is well developed and often saddle-shaped, sometimes bearing keels or ridges. Forewings (tegmina) are leathery and narrow, while the hind wings are broad and membranous, enabling flight in many species.

Sound production is common in Acrididae and is usually achieved by stridulation, rubbing the hind femora against the forewings or the abdomen. These sounds are used primarily in communication, especially during courtship and mate recognition. Hearing organs (tympana) are typically located on the sides of the first abdominal segment.

Acrididae undergo hemimetabolous development. Females lay eggs in compact pods within the soil, often coated with a frothy secretion that hardens to protect the eggs. Nymphs resemble adults but lack wings and reproductive organs, developing through several molts before reaching maturity.

Ecologically, Acrididae are predominantly herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses and other herbaceous plants, although some species may consume a broader range of vegetation. Certain species, known as locusts, exhibit phase polymorphism and can form massive migratory swarms capable of causing severe agricultural damage. Despite this, most acridids occur at moderate densities and play a vital role in ecosystems as primary consumers and as an important food source for a wide variety of predators.