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:
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...
