Msstate Logo

Key to the Subfamilies of Acrididae Occurring in the Southeastern United States

Modified from Otte 1981, and Triplehorn and Johnson 2005.

1. Prosternum with median spine or tubercle
...2
1'. Prosternum without a median spine or tubercle
...4
2 (1). Usually very large species (35-65 mm long); mesosternal lobes usually longer than wide; inner margin of mesosternal lobe of sternum angulate
...Cyrtacanthacridinae
2’. Smaller species (usually less than 40 mm long); mesosternal lobes wider than long, inner margin of mesosternal lobe of mesosternum rounded
...3
3 (2’) Elongate or robust species; face rounded; antennae thin and filliform, inner margins of mesosternal lobes not touching, apex of wings usually rounded
...Melonoplinae
3’ Elongate, slender species, with slanted faces and broad, ensiform antennae, inner margins of mesostrnal lobes touching; apex of wings pointed
4 (1’). Inner face of hind femora with a row of stridulatory pegs (except Stethophyma)
4’ Inner face of hind femora without a row of stridulatory pegs
...5
5 (4’). Forewings obliquely truncated at apex, usually more pronounced in males, and without intercalary vein; face moderately to strongly slanted; hind wings transparent or faintly tinged with color, but never having a dark or smoky band, and always having enlarged cells near the leading edge
...Acridinae (1 species, Metaleptea brevicornis (Johannson)
5’ Forewings rounded at apex and with raised intercalary vein; face usually more vertical; hindwings often possessing banded or brightly marked with yellows, oranges, reds, or blacks, smoky black in some species, and never with enlarged cells near the leading edge
...Oedipodinae