Poekilocerus is a genus of grasshoppers in the family Pyrgomorphidae and the monotypic tribe Poekilocerini. Species are found in the northern half of Africa, and in Southwest and South Asia, often in arid or semi-arid areas.[2][3][4]
| Poekilocerus | |
|---|---|
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| Poekilocerus bufonius (above), Poekilocerus pictus (below) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Caelifera |
| Family: | Pyrgomorphidae |
| Subfamily: | Pyrgomorphinae |
| Tribe: | Poekilocerini Burmeister, 1840 |
| Genus: | Poekilocerus Serville, 1831[1] |
| Synonyms | |
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Adults are typically about 3–7 cm (1.2–2.8 in) long, with females generally larger than males of the same species.[4][5] The genus includes both highly toxic species with contrasting aposematic colours and species with duller colours suitable for camouflage.[4][5]
Species edit
The Orthoptera Species File lists the following:[2]
- Poekilocerus arabicus Uvarov, 1922
- Poekilocerus bufonius Klug, 1832 (3 subspecies)
- Poekilocerus calotropidis Karsch, 1888
- Poekilocerus geniplanus Gupta & Chandra, 2016
- Poekilocerus pictus (Fabricius, 1775) - type species (as Gryllus pictus Fabricius)
References edit
- ^ Audinet-Serville JG (1831) Ann. Sci. nat. 22(86): 275.
- ^ a b Orthoptera Species File: genus Poekilocerus Serville, 1831 (retrieved 12 August 2023)
- ^ Johnston, H.B. (1956). Annotated Catalogue of African Grasshoppers. Cambridge University Press.
- ^ a b c Fishelson, L. (1960). "The biology and behavior of Poekiloceros bufonius Klug, with special reference to the repellent gland (Orth. Acrididae)". Eos (Madrid). 36: 41–62.
- ^ a b Whitman, D.; Vincent, S. (2008). "Large size as an antipredator defense in an insect". Journal of Orthoptera Research. 17 (2): 353–371. doi:10.1665/1082-6467-17.2.353.
External links edit
- Roskov Y.; Kunze T.; Orrell T.; Abucay L.; Paglinawan L.; Culham A.; Bailly N.; Kirk P.; Bourgoin T.; Baillargeon G.; Decock W.; De Wever A. (2011). Didžiulis V. (ed.). "Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2011 Annual Checklist". Species 2000: Reading, UK. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
Media related to Poekilocerus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Poekilocerus at Wikispecies
