groundhoppers

Groundhoppers are small orthopterans in the family Tetrigidae, commonly called pygmy grasshoppers. They occur worldwide, with greatest diversity in tropical regions. They are typically 4–15 mm long and are recognizable by a long, shield-like pronotum that extends over the abdomen, often covering the wings. This shield, together with their flattened bodies and cryptic coloration, helps them blend with leaf litter and soil.

Most groundhoppers have short or highly reduced forewings; hind wings are usually well-developed and used for jumping. They rest with their bodies close to the ground and move by running or leaping. They are primarily ground-dwellers in moist habitats, including leaf litter, moss, damp soil, riverbanks, and forest floors.

Diet is mostly herbivorous, feeding on algae, lichens, mosses, detritus, and decaying plant material, though some species will take small invertebrates opportunistically.

Life cycle follows incomplete metamorphosis. Eggs are deposited in soil or plant tissue, overwinter in temperate zones, and hatch into nymphs that resemble small adults. Through several molts, they reach the adult stage.

Taxonomically, groundhoppers belong to the order Orthoptera, suborder Caelifera, family Tetrigidae, which comprises about 1,000–1,300 species across numerous genera. They are generally inconspicuous and can act as indicators of habitat health due to their sensitivity to microhabitat changes.