63-407: (Acrdidoxenini) Mecopodinae are a subfamily of bush crickets found in western South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia. In Asia, the distribution includes India, Indochina , Japan, the Philippines, and Malesia to Papua New Guinea and Australasia , including many Pacific islands. Mecopodinae are characterized by their leaf-like forms, but are sometimes called "the long-legged katydids". It
126-412: A Proto-Indo-European word *morwi- was the root for Sanskrit vamrah , Greek μύρμηξ mýrmēx , Old Church Slavonic mraviji , Old Irish moirb , Old Norse maurr , Dutch mier , Swedish myra , Danish myre , Middle Dutch miere , and Crimean Gothic miera . The family Formicidae belongs to the order Hymenoptera , which also includes sawflies , bees , and wasps . Ants evolved from
189-480: A cosmopolitan distribution . They are found on all continents except Antarctica , and only a few large islands, such as Greenland , Iceland , parts of Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands lack native ant species. Ants occupy a wide range of ecological niches and exploit many different food resources as direct or indirect herbivores, predators and scavengers. Most ant species are omnivorous generalists , but
252-400: A conservative estimate of the ants at about 20 × 10 (20 quadrillion). Ants range in size from 0.75 to 52 millimetres (0.030–2.0 in), the largest species being the fossil Titanomyrma giganteum , the queen of which was 6 cm ( 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 in) long with a wingspan of 15 cm (6 in). Ants vary in colour; most ants are yellow to red or brown to black, but
315-459: A fast remating rate. Ant Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees , belong to the order Hymenoptera . Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and
378-499: A few are specialist feeders. There is considerable variation in ant abundance across habitats, peaking in the moist tropics to nearly six times that found in less suitable habitats. Their ecological dominance has been examined primarily using estimates of their biomass : myrmecologist E. O. Wilson had estimated in 2009 that at any one time the total number of ants was between one and ten quadrillion ( short scale ) (i.e., between 10 and 10 ) and using this estimate he had suggested that
441-406: A few species are green and some tropical species have a metallic lustre . More than 13,800 species are currently known (with upper estimates of the potential existence of about 22,000; see the article List of ant genera ), with the greatest diversity in the tropics. Taxonomic studies continue to resolve the classification and systematics of ants. Online databases of ant species, including AntWeb and
504-409: A high resolution image. They also have three small ocelli (simple eyes) on the top of the head that detect light levels and polarization . Compared to vertebrates , ants tend to have blurrier eyesight, particularly in smaller species, and a few subterranean taxa are completely blind . However, some ants, such as Australia's bulldog ant , have excellent vision and are capable of discriminating
567-475: A kind of small cicada, leafhopper ; it is from the Greek τεττιγόνιον tettigonion , the diminutive of the imitative ( onomatopoeic ) τέττιξ, tettix , cicada . All of these names such as tettix with repeated sounds are onomatopoeic , imitating the stridulation of these insects. The common name katydid is also onomatopoeic and comes from the particularly loud, three-pulsed song, often rendered " ka-ty-did ", of
630-410: A large economic impact is rare. Tettigoniids are serious insect pests of karuka ( Pandanus julianettii ). The species Segestes gracilis and Segestidea montana eat the leaves and can sometimes kill trees. Growers will stuff leaves and grass in between the leaves of the crown to keep insects out. By observing the head and mouthparts, where differences can be seen in relation to function, it
693-464: A large spermatophore, they benefit by being more highly selected for by females, but they are only able to mate one to two times during their lifetimes. Inversely, male Tettigoniidae with smaller spermatophores have the benefit of being able to mate two to three times per night, but have lower chances of being selected by females. Even in times of nutritional stress, male Tettigoniidae continue to invest nutrients within their spermatophores. In some species,
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#1732877215822756-508: A lineage within the stinging wasps , and a 2013 study suggests that they are a sister group of the Apoidea . However, since Apoidea is a superfamily, ants must be upgraded to the same rank. A more detailed basic taxonomy was proposed in 2020. Three species of the extinct mid- Cretaceous genera Camelomecia and Camelosphecia were placed outside of the Formicidae, in a separate clade within
819-433: A love beyond the grave. Should my songs die out and perish, You'll my name repeat and cherish; Though all trace is lost of me, Still you'll call from tree to tree. From the "To A Katydid" poem by Kate Slaughter McKinney The males provide a nuptial gift for the females in the form of a spermatophylax , a body attached to the males' spermatophore and consumed by the female, to distract her from eating
882-478: A mimic state only until they are large enough to escape predation. Once they complete their last molt (after about 5 successful molts), they are then prepared to mate. Tettigoniids are found on every continent except Antarctica. The vast majority of katydid species live in the tropical regions of the world. For example, the Amazon basin tropical forests are home to over 2,000 species. However, katydids are found in
945-623: A naughty man, Or kiss more cheeks than one? I warrant Katy did no more Than many a Kate has done. From the "To An Insect" poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes To A Katydid LITTLE friend among the tree-tops, Chanting low your vesper hymns, Never tiring, Me inspiring, Seated 'neath
1008-446: A node-like petiole . The head, mesosoma , and metasoma are the three distinct body segments (formally tagmata ). The petiole forms a narrow waist between their mesosoma ( thorax plus the first abdominal segment, which is fused to it) and gaster (abdomen less the abdominal segments in the petiole). The petiole may be formed by one or two nodes (the second alone, or the second and third abdominal segments). Tergosternal fusion, when
1071-497: A place for it, and place it properly. Tettigoniids have either sickle-shaped ovipositors which typically lay eggs in dead or living plant matter, or uniform long ovipositors which lay eggs in grass stems. When tettigoniids hatch, the nymphs often look like small, wingless versions of the adults, but in some species, the nymphs look nothing at all like the adult and rather mimic other species such as ants , spiders and assassin bugs , or flowers, to prevent predation. The nymphs remain in
1134-403: A protective casing around the body and a point of attachment for muscles, in contrast to the internal skeletons of humans and other vertebrates . Insects do not have lungs ; oxygen and other gases, such as carbon dioxide , pass through their exoskeleton via tiny valves called spiracles . Insects also lack closed blood vessels ; instead, they have a long, thin, perforated tube along the top of
1197-430: A single gene of Solenopsis invicta can decide whether the colony will have single or multiple queens. The Australian jack jumper ant ( Myrmecia pilosula ) has only a single pair of chromosomes (with the males having just one chromosome as they are haploid ), the lowest number known for any animal, making it an interesting subject for studies in the genetics and developmental biology of social insects. Genome size
1260-437: A voice that must defend From abuse some time-loved friend. Dream I not of fame or fortune, Only this I inward crave, Sweet assurance, Long endurance, Of
1323-492: Is paraphyletic In 1966, E. O. Wilson and his colleagues identified the fossil remains of an ant ( Sphecomyrma ) that lived in the Cretaceous period. The specimen, trapped in amber dating back to around 92 million years ago, has features found in some wasps, but not found in modern ants. The oldest fossils of ants date to the mid-Cretaceous, around 100 million years ago, which belong to extinct stem-groups such as
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#17328772158221386-456: Is a paraphyletic grouping that is part of the Phaneropteroid clade: sister to Phaneropterinae and Pseudophyllinae . Although as of December 2018, Orthoptera Species File places Mecopodinae within the family Tettigoniidae , the family Phaneropteridae has been recommended for reinstatement, with subfamilies Mecopodinae, Pseudophyllinae, Phyllophorinae , and Phaneropterinae. As of June 2018,
1449-485: Is extinct and may be placed here or in the Archaeorthoptera . The diet of most tettigoniids includes leaves , flowers , bark , and seeds , but many species are exclusively predatory , feeding on other insects , snails , or even small vertebrates such as snakes and lizards . Some are also considered pests by commercial crop growers and are sprayed to limit growth, but population densities are usually low, so
1512-544: Is possible to determine what type of food the tettigoniids consume. Large tettigoniids can inflict a painful bite or pinch if handled, but seldom break the skin. Some species of bush crickets are consumed by people, such as the nsenene ( Ruspolia differens ) in Uganda and neighbouring areas. The males of tettigoniids have sound-producing organs located on the hind angles of their front wings. In some species, females are also capable of stridulation. Females chirp in response to
1575-446: Is the front and which side is the back. Katydid I LOVE to hear thine earnest voice, Wherever thou art hid, Thou testy little dogmatist, Thou pretty Katydid! Thou mindest me of gentlefolks, - Old gentlefolks are they, - Thou say'st an undisputed thing In such a solemn way. Thou art a female, Katydid! I know it by
1638-467: Is usually cuckolded . The polygamous relationships of the Tettigoniidae lead to high levels of male-male competition. Male competition is caused by the decreased availability of males able to supply nutritious spermaphylanges to the females. Females produce more eggs on a high-quality diet; thus, the female looks for healthier males with a more nutritious spermatophylax. Females use the sound created by
1701-673: The Haidomyrmecinae , Sphecomyrminae and Zigrasimeciinae , with modern ant subfamilies appearing towards the end of the Cretaceous around 80–70 million years ago. Ants diversified extensively during the Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution and assumed ecological dominance around 60 million years ago. Some groups, such as the Leptanillinae and Martialinae , are suggested to have diversified from early primitive ants that were likely to have been predators underneath
1764-787: The Paleogene period . By the Oligocene and Miocene , ants had come to represent 20–40% of all insects found in major fossil deposits. Of the species that lived in the Eocene epoch, around one in 10 genera survive to the present. Genera surviving today comprise 56% of the genera in Baltic amber fossils (early Oligocene), and 92% of the genera in Dominican amber fossils (apparently early Miocene). Termites live in colonies and are sometimes called "white ants", but termites are only distantly related to ants. They are
1827-400: The grasshopper by the length of their filamentous antennae , which may exceed their own body length, while grasshoppers' antennae are always relatively short and thickened. Eggs are typically oval and may be attached in rows to plants. Where the eggs are deposited relates to the way the ovipositor is formed. It consists of up to three pairs of appendages formed to transmit the egg, to make
1890-438: The haplodiploid sex-determination system in ants, workers of a number of species can lay unfertilised eggs that become fully fertile, haploid males. The role of workers may change with their age and in some species, such as honeypot ants , young workers are fed until their gasters are distended, and act as living food storage vessels. These food storage workers are called repletes . For instance, these replete workers develop in
1953-485: The mandibles , used to carry food, manipulate objects, construct nests, and for defence. In some species, a small pocket (infrabuccal chamber) inside the mouth stores food, so it may be passed to other ants or their larvae. Both the legs and wings of the ant are attached to the mesosoma ("thorax"). The legs terminate in a hooked claw which allows them to hook on and climb surfaces. Only reproductive ants ( queens and males) have wings. Queens shed their wings after
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2016-696: The nominate subspecies of the North American Pterophylla camellifolia , belonging to the subfamily Pseudophyllinae , which are known as "true katydids". Tettigoniids range in size from as small as 5 mm (0.20 in) to as large as 130 mm (5.1 in). The smaller species typically live in drier or more stressful habitats which may lead to their small size. The small size is associated with greater agility, faster development, and lower nutritional needs. Tettigoniids are tree-living insects that are most commonly heard at night during summer and early fall. Tettigoniids may be distinguished from
2079-457: The nuptial flight , leaving visible stubs, a distinguishing feature of queens. In a few species, wingless queens ( ergatoids ) and males occur. The metasoma (the "abdomen") of the ant houses important internal organs, including those of the reproductive, respiratory (tracheae), and excretory systems. Workers of many species have their egg-laying structures modified into stings that are used for subduing prey and defending their nests. In
2142-605: The red imported fire ant ( Solenopsis invicta ) of South America, are regarded as invasive species in other parts of the world, establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally. The word ant and the archaic word emmet are derived from ante , emete of Middle English , which come from ǣmette of Old English ; these are all related to Low Saxon e(e)mt , empe and varieties ( Old Saxon emeta ) and to German Ameise ( Old High German āmeiza ). All of these words come from West Germanic * ǣmaitjōn , and
2205-499: The Hymenoptera Name Server, help to keep track of the known and newly described species. The relative ease with which ants may be sampled and studied in ecosystems has made them useful as indicator species in biodiversity studies. Ants are distinct in their morphology from other insects in having geniculate (elbowed) antennae , metapleural glands , and a strong constriction of their second abdominal segment into
2268-745: The North American honeypot ant Myrmecocystus mexicanus . Usually the largest workers in the colony develop into repletes; and, if repletes are removed from the colony, other workers become repletes, demonstrating the flexibility of this particular polymorphism . This polymorphism in morphology and behaviour of workers initially was thought to be determined by environmental factors such as nutrition and hormones that led to different developmental paths ; however, genetic differences between worker castes have been noted in Acromyrmex sp. These polymorphisms are caused by relatively small genetic changes; differences in
2331-554: The Orthoptera Species File lists the following tribes and genera: Auth: Zeuner, 1936 (West Africa) Auth: Naskrecki, 1994 (southern Africa) Auth: Gorochov, 1988 (equatorial Africa) Auth: Walker, 1871 (Africa, Asia: India through to Australia) Auth: Willemse, 1961 (southern Africa) Auth: Karny, 1924 ("Sexavaini" was an orthographical variant ) - central Malesia to Australia (not Sumatra or mainland Asia) (Java to Papua New Guinea and Pacific islands) (Australasia to
2394-529: The Philippines) Auth: Braun, Chamorro Rengifo & Morris, 2009 (South America) Tettigoniidae See text Insects in the family Tettigoniidae are commonly called katydids (especially in North America) or bush crickets . They have previously been known as "long-horned grasshoppers ". More than 8,000 species are known. Part of the suborder Ensifera , the Tettigoniidae are
2457-1167: The ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony. Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth . The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in moist tropical ecosystems and may exceed the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. Their long co-evolution with other species has led to mimetic , commensal , parasitic , and mutualistic relationships. Ant societies have division of labour , communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems . These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rites. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents. Their ability to exploit resources may bring ants into conflict with humans, however, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. Some species, such as
2520-556: The body (called the "dorsal aorta") that functions like a heart, and pumps haemolymph toward the head, thus driving the circulation of the internal fluids. The nervous system consists of a ventral nerve cord that runs the length of the body, with several ganglia and branches along the way reaching into the extremities of the appendages. An ant's head contains many sensory organs . Like most insects, ants have compound eyes made from numerous tiny lenses attached together. Ant eyes are good for acute movement detection, but do not offer
2583-515: The colonies of a few ant species, there are physical castes—workers in distinct size-classes, called minor (micrergates), median, and major ergates (macrergates). Often, the larger ants have disproportionately larger heads, and correspondingly stronger mandibles . Although formally known as dinergates, such individuals are sometimes called "soldier" ants because their stronger mandibles make them more effective in fighting, although they still are workers and their "duties" typically do not vary greatly from
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2646-622: The cool, dry temperate regions, as well, with about 255 species in North America. The Tettigoniidae are a large family and have been divided into a number of subfamilies: The Copiphorinae were previously considered a subfamily, but are now placed as tribe Copiphorini in the subfamily Conocephalinae. The genus Acridoxena is now placed in the tribe Acridoxenini of the Mecopodinae (previously its own subfamily, Acridoxeninae). The Orthoptera species file lists: The genus † Triassophyllum
2709-402: The cost of creating the spermatophore is low, but even in those which it is not low, it is still not beneficial to reduce the quality of the spermatophore, as it would lead to lower reproductive selection and success. This low reproductive success is attributed to some Tettigoniidae species in which the spermatophylax that the female receives as a food gift from the male during copulation increases
2772-532: The distance and size of objects moving nearly a meter away. Based on experiments conducted to test their ability to differentiate between selected wavelengths of light, some ant species such as Camponotus blandus, Solenopsis invicta, and Formica cunicularia are thought to possess a degree of colour vision. Two antennae ("feelers") are attached to the head; these organs detect chemicals, air currents , and vibrations ; they also are used to transmit and receive signals through touch. The head has two strong jaws,
2835-712: The distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists. Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen individuals often living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories with sizeable nest that consist of millions of individuals or into the hundreds of millions in super colonies . Typical colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of which are workers (ergates), as well as soldiers (dinergates) and other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called "drones" and one or more fertile females called " queens " ( gynes ). The colonies are described as superorganisms because
2898-414: The fore wings are used to sing. Tettigoniids produce continuous songs known as trills. The size of the insect, the spacing of the ridges, and the width of the scraper all influence what sound is made. Many species stridulate at a tempo which is governed by ambient temperature, so that the number of chirps in a defined period of time can produce a fairly accurate temperature reading. For American katydids,
2961-518: The formula is generally given as the number of chirps in 15 seconds plus 37 to give the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Some tettigoniids have spines on different parts of their bodies that work in different ways. The Listroscelinae have limb spines on the ventral surfaces of their bodies. This works in a way to confine their prey to make a temporary cage above their mouthparts. The spines are articulated and comparatively flexible, but relatively blunt. Due to this, they are used to cage and not penetrate
3024-862: The general superfamily Formicoidea , which, together with Apoidea, forms the higher-ranking group Formicapoidina . Fernández et al. (2021) suggest that the common ancestors of ants and apoids within the Formicapoidina probably existed as early as in the end of the Jurassic period, before divergence in the Cretaceous. Chrysidoidea Vespidae Rhopalosomatidae Pompilidae Mutillidae Tiphiidae Chyphotidae Scolioidea Apoidea Formicidae Myrmicinae Ectatomminae Heteroponerinae Formicinae Dolichoderinae Aneuretinae Pseudomyrmecinae Myrmeciinae Dorylinae‡ Ponerinae Agroecomyrmecinae Paraponerinae Proceratiinae Amblyoponinae Apomyrminae Leptanillinae Martialinae *Cerapachyinae
3087-469: The katydid is either dead or just a leaf on the plant. Various tettigoniids have bright coloration and black apical spots on the inner surfaces of the tegmina , and brightly colored hind wings. By flicking their wings open when disturbed, they use the coloration to fool predators into thinking the spots are eyes. This, in combination with their coloration mimicking leaves, allows them to blend in with their surroundings, but also makes predators unsure which side
3150-413: The male to judge his fitness. The louder and more fluent the trill, the higher the fitness of the male. In species which produce larger food gifts, the female often seeks out the males to copulate. This, however, is a cost to females as they risk predation while searching for males. Also, a cost-benefit tradeoff exists in the size of the spermatophore which the male tettigoniids produce. When males possess
3213-436: The male's spermatophore and thereby increase his paternity. The Tettigoniidae have polygamous relationships. The first male to mate is guaranteed an extremely high confidence of paternity when a second male couples at the termination of female sexual refractoriness. The nutrients that the offspring ultimately receive will increase their fitness. The second male to mate with the female at the termination of her refractory period
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#17328772158223276-484: The minor or median workers. In a few species, the median workers are absent, creating a sharp divide between the minors and majors. Weaver ants , for example, have a distinct bimodal size distribution. Some other species show continuous variation in the size of workers. The smallest and largest workers in Carebara diversa show nearly a 500-fold difference in their dry weights. Workers cannot mate; however, because of
3339-446: The only extant (living) family in the superfamily Tettigonioidea. Many species are nocturnal in habit, having strident mating calls and may exhibit mimicry or camouflage , commonly with shapes and colours similar to leaves. The family name Tettigoniidae is derived from the genus Tettigonia , of which the great green bush cricket is the type species; it was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. In Latin tettigonia means
3402-544: The original meaning of the word was "the biter" (from Proto-Germanic * ai- , "off, away" + * mait- "cut"). The family name Formicidae is derived from the Latin formīca ("ant") from which the words in other Romance languages , such as the Portuguese formiga , Italian formica , Spanish hormiga , Romanian furnică , and French fourmi are derived. It has been hypothesised that
3465-477: The prey's body. Spines on the tibiae and the femora are usually more sharp and nonarticulated. They are designed more for penetration or help in the defensive mechanism they might have. This usually works with their diurnal roosting posture to maximize defense and prevent predators from going for their head. When tettigoniids go to rest during the day, they enter a diurnal roosting posture to maximize their cryptic qualities. This position fools predators into thinking
3528-417: The reproductive output of the reproduction attempt. However, in other cases, the female receives few, if any, benefits. The reproductive behavior of bush crickets has been studied in great depth. Studies found that the tuberous bush cricket ( Platycleis affinis ) has the largest testes in proportion to body mass of any animal recorded. They account for 14% of the insect's body mass and are thought to enable
3591-400: The shrill of the males. The males use this sound for courtship, which occurs late in the summer. The sound is produced by rubbing two parts of their bodies together, called stridulation . In many cases this is done with the wings, but not exclusively. One body part bears a file or comb with ridges; the other has the plectrum, which runs over the ridges to produce a vibration. For tettigoniids,
3654-509: The sub-order Isoptera , and together with cockroaches , they form the order Blattodea . Blattodeans are related to mantids , crickets , and other winged insects that do not undergo complete metamorphosis . Like ants, termites are eusocial , with sterile workers, but they differ greatly in the genetics of reproduction. The similarity of their social structure to that of ants is attributed to convergent evolution . Velvet ants look like large ants, but are wingless female wasps . Ants have
3717-518: The surface of the soil. During the Cretaceous period, a few species of primitive ants ranged widely on the Laurasian supercontinent (the Northern Hemisphere ). Their representation in the fossil record is poor, in comparison to the populations of other insects, representing only about 1% of fossil evidence of insects in the era. Ants became dominant after adaptive radiation at the beginning of
3780-1783: The swaying limbs, Do you know your plaintive calling, When the summer dew is falling, Echoes sweeter through my brain Than any soft, harmonic strain? Others call you an intruder, Say discordant notes you know; Or that sadness, More than gladness, From your little heart doth flow; And that you awake from sleeping Thoughts in quiet they were keeping, Faithless love, or ill-laid schemes, Hopes unanchored — broken dreams. No such phantoms to my vision Doth your lullaby impart, But sweet faces, No tear traces, Smile as joyous in my heart, As when first at mother's knee Learned I your sweet mystery. I defend you with my praises, For your song my soul upraises. Oft I fancy when your neighbors, In some secret thicket hid, Are debating, Underrating What that little maiden did, That above their clam'rous singing I can hear your accents ringing, Like
3843-464: The tergite and sternite of a segment fuse together, can occur partly or fully on the second, third and fourth abdominal segment and is used in identification. Fourth abdominal tergosternal fusion was formerly used as character that defined the poneromorph subfamilies, Ponerinae and relatives within their clade, but this is no longer considered a synapomorphic character. Like other arthropods, ants have an exoskeleton , an external covering that provides
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#17328772158223906-400: The total biomass of all the ants in the world was approximately equal to the total biomass of the entire human race. More careful estimates made in 2022 which take into account regional variations puts the global ant contribution at 12 megatons of dry carbon, which is about 20% of the total human contribution, but greater than that of the wild birds and mammals combined. This study also puts
3969-426: The trill That quivers through thy piercing notes, So petulant and shrill. I think there is a knot of you Beneath the hollow tree, - A knot of spinster Katydids, - Do Katydids drink tea? O, tell me where did Katy live, And what did Katy do? And was she very fair and young, And yet so wicked, too? Did Katy love
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