Bandwing


Bandwings, or band-winged grasshoppers are the subfamily Oedipodinae of grasshoppers classified under the family Acrididae. They have a worldwide distribution and were originally elevated to full family status as the Oedipodidae. Many species primarily inhabit xeric weedy fields, and some are considered to be important locusts:
These grasshoppers often have colorful hindwings that may be yellow or red and edged with black. Others have black hindwings with pale edges, and a few species have clear hindwings. The arolium is extremely small or absent.

Defense

When bandwings feel safe, they appear drab. When they feel threatened, they leap out to reveal bold and bright colors. Some predators might even mistake the Blue-winged grasshopper for butterfly. But when the predator looks for the grasshopper, it is hiding in the grass. Bandwings continue this process if the predator tries to attack them.

Tribes and genera

The Orthoptera Species File lists the following:

Tribe Acrotylini

Auth. Shumakov 1963; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia

Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America
Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America
xanthoptera
Auth. Bei-Bienko 1930; distribution: Europe, Asia
Auth. Otte, 1984; distribution: N. America

Auth. Brunner von Wattenwyl 1893; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia through to New Caledonia
Auth. Otte, 1984; distribution: Americas

Auth. Kirby, 1825; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia
Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America
Auth. Walker, 1871; distribution: N. Africa, Europe, Asia

Auth. Brunner von Wattenwyl 1893 ; distribution: N. America, Europe, Asia
magister
Auth. Otte, 1984; distribution: N. America

Auth. Johnston, 1956; distribution: worldwide, esp. Africa, Europe, Asia
sp.
Auth. Shumakov 1963; distribution: Africa, Asia
Auth. Blatchley, 1920; distribution: Americas
Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America
The genus Cibolacris was originally placed in Oedipodinae, and later moved to Gomphocerinae. The genus Stethophyma is traditionally included in Oedipodinae, but North American authors in particular sometimes place it in the Gomphocerinae or Acridinae. Some authors place all members of Oedipodinae within the subfamily Acridinae, and there has been much confusion and debate about the limits and relationships of the two subfamilies.