Ensifera

views updated

Ensifera (subclass Pterygota, order Orthoptera) Suborder of orthopterans in which the antennae have more than 30 segments, usually many more, and in some groups are several times the length of the body. When present, auditory organs are found on the fore tibia, and stridulation is produced by friction between modified veins on the fore wings. When present, the modified ovipositor is cylindrical or sword-shaped (ensiform—hence ‘Ensifera’). The suborder includes the families Cooloolidae, Gryllacrididae, Gryllidae, Gryllotalpidae, Myrmecophilidae, Prophalanopsidae, Rhaphidophoridae, Schizodactylidae, Stenolpelmatidae, and Tettigoniidae.