Bandwings, or band-winged grasshoppers, are the subfamily Oedipodinae of grasshoppers classified under the family Acrididae. They have a worldwide distribution and were originally elevated to full family status as the Oedipodidae. Many species primarily inhabit xeric weedy fields, and some are considered to be important locusts: These grasshoppers often have colorful hindwings that may be yellow or red and edged with black. Others have black hindwings with pale edges, and a few species (including the most economically important ones) have clear hindwings. The arolium is extremely small or absent.

Defense

When bandwings feel safe, they appear drab. When they feel threatened, they leap out to reveal bold and bright colors. Some predators might even mistake the blue-winged grasshopper for a butterfly. But when the predator looks for the grasshopper, it is hiding in the grass. Bandwings continue this process if the predator tries to attack them.

Tribes and genera

The Orthoptera Species File lists the following:

Tribe Acrotylini

Auth. Shumakov 1963; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia

Tribe Anconiini

Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America (monotypic)

Tribe Arphiini

Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America

Tribe Bryodemini

Auth. Bei-Bienko 1930; distribution: mostly central Asia

Tribe Chortophagini

Auth. Otte, 1984; distribution: N. America

Tribe Epacromiini

Auth. Brunner von Wattenwyl 1893; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia through to New Caledonia

Tribe Hippiscini

Auth. Otte, 1984; distribution: Americas

Tribe Locustini

Auth. Kirby, 1825; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia

Tribe Macherocerini

Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America (monotypic)

Tribe Oedipodini

Auth. Walker, 1871; distribution: N. Africa, Europe, Asia

Tribe Parapleurini

Auth. Brunner von Wattenwyl 1893 (synonym Parapleuri); distribution: N. America, Europe, Asia

Tribe Psinidiini

Auth. Otte, 1984; distribution: N. America

Tribe Sphingonotini

Auth. Johnston, 1956; distribution: worldwide, esp. Africa, Europe, Asia

Tribe Trilophidiini

Auth. Shumakov 1963; distribution: Africa, Asia (monotypic tribe)

Tribe Trimerotropini

Auth. Blatchley, 1920; distribution: Americas

Tribe Tropidolophini

Auth. Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America (monotypic tribe)

Genera incertae sedis

The genus Cibolacris was originally placed in Oedipodinae, and later moved to Gomphocerinae. The genus Stethophyma is traditionally included in Oedipodinae, but North American authors in particular sometimes place it in the Gomphocerinae or Acridinae. Some authors place all members of Oedipodinae within the subfamily Acridinae, and there has been much confusion and debate about the limits and relationships of the two subfamilies.