Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and locusts all belong to the order Orthoptera. Members of this group share a common ancestor.
Based on physical and behavioral characteristics, the Orthopterans can be split into two distinct groups, or suborders – the Caelifera and the Ensifera. Caeliferans include the grasshoppers and locusts. The suborder Ensifera is comprised of the crickets and katydids.
The following traits separate most grasshoppers and locusts from their close cousins, the crickets and katydids. As with any rule, there may be exceptions.
Differences Between Grasshoppers and Crickets
| Characteristic | Grasshoppers & Locusts | Crickets & Katydids |
| Antennae | short | long |
| Auditory Organs | on the abdomen | on the forelegs |
| Stridulation | rubbing the hind leg against the forewing | rubbing forewings together |
| Ovipositors | short | long, extended |
| Activity | diurnal | nocturnal |
| Feeding Habits | herbivorous | predatory, omnivorous, or herbivorous |
