Orthoptera

The order Orthoptera includes crickets, katydids, grasshoppers and locusts, and there are over 20,000 species around the world. They go through incomplete metamorphosis, which means they hatch from eggs into nymphs, mini-versions of their adult form, and grow to an adult. They have large hindlegs to jump long distances and most species have hardened forewings that cover membranous hindwings. Some are considered pests that harm agricultural crops or fruit trees, but some are kept as pets because of their beautiful sounds.