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
Neorthacris simulans at Kadavoor, Kerala, India
  • 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
Atractomorpha similis
  • 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
Immature Dictyophorus spumans Cedarberg South Africa
Phymateus morbillosus. Male. Common milkweed locust photographed in thorn tree (African acacia sp.) at Sterkfontein
  • 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

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