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Which insects belong to the order Orthoptera?

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Meadow grasshopper — Orthoptera A colorful meadow grasshopper (*Chorthippus parallelus*) on a wooden fence.

The order Orthoptera comprises more than 20,000 species of insects, including grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, katydids, and wētā.1

The order is taxonomically divided into two primary suborders:1

Ensifera: This group includes katydids, crickets, and camel crickets.1
Caelifera: This group includes grasshoppers, locusts, and pygmy sand crickets.1

These insects are characterized by their mandibulate mouthparts adapted for chewing and their ability to undergo simple metamorphosis. Many species are also distinguished by enlarged hind femurs adapted for jumping and the presence of leathery forewings known as tegmina.2