Research Article

Journal of Orthoptera Research 2023, 32(2): 133-142

A new Floritettix (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae) from the Bombing

Range Ridge, Florida, U.S.A.

JoVONN G. Hit!?

1 Mississippi Entomological Museum, Mississippi, USA.

2 Department of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi, USA.

Corresponding author: JoVonn G. Hill (jgh4@msstate.edu)

Academic editor: Maria-Marta Cigliano | Received 16 September 2022 | Accepted 23 November 2022 | Published 10 August 2023

https://zoobank.org/BB7A31E6-F106-48DD-93D0-495D99B04871

Citation: Hill JG (2023) A new Floritettix (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Melanoplinae) from the Bombing Range Ridge, Florida, U.S.A. Journal of Orthoptera

Research 32(2): 133-142. https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.32.94990

Abstract

Floritettix are endemic to the North American Coastal Plain. Here I
describe a new species, Floritettix phlox sp. nov., from the Bombing Range
Ridge in central Florida. This species appears to be restricted to the heavily
burned scrub habitat on this small ridge. This species is described based on
morphological and biogeographical evidence.

Keywords

Biodiversity, fire, grasshopper, islands, Lake Wales Ridge, sand ridges

Introduction

In 2015, while conducting field surveys at Avon Park Air Force
Range with John Barone, Reed Noss, and Steve Orzell, I collected
a Floritettix Otte, 2014 that upon later microscopic examination
did not fit the described species in a recently published revision
of Otte (2014). More specimens were acquired during subsequent
field expeditions to Florida and specifically Avon Park Air Force
Range. Comparisons of these specimens with other Floritettix in-
dicate that this is a new species that may be endemic to the scrub
community of the Bombing Range Ridge. If so, then this would
represent the first animal known to be endemic to the ridge.

Floritettix is one of the five acridid genera endemic to the
southeastern United States (along with Aptenopedes Scudder, 1878,
Eotettix Scudder, 1897, Floridacris Otte, 2014, and Gymnoscirtetes
Scudder, 1897) and is Floridian in distribution, meaning that it
is endemic to Florida and the southern portions of the adjacent
states of Alabama and Georgia (Hill 2018). Otte (2014) established
Floritettix with 13 species (six new; seven formerly Aptenopedes).
Specimens from the Bombing Range Ridge were not examined in
that study as access to the ridge has been limited since 1941, after
the establishment of Avon Park Air Force Range. Most of the ridge
itself occurs on the training range, where Air Force personnel gain
experience firing aircraft mounted explosive ordinances, which re-
sults in frequent fires (Orzell and Bridges 2006). However, not all

Floritettix are inhabitants of scrub environments. For example, a
cursory examination of Otte’s (2014) maps indicate that Floritettix
hubbelli (Hebard, 1936) have broad distributions that span much
of peninsular Florida. My own sampling indicates that it typically
inhabits moister flatwoods adjacent to the scrub environments
and hyperseasonal prairies across south Florida.

Floritettix is differentiated by characters associated with the
male genitalia. These morphological characters have been long
used for species delineations in the Melanoplinae and have been
further supported by molecular evidence (Hubbell 1932, Otte
2014, Hill 2015, Woller 2017, Huang et al. 2020). Here I provide
the first key to the genus and a description of the new species.

Materials and methods

All but one of the specimens used in this study were collected
by staff of the Mississippi Entomological Museum (MEM) and are
deposited there. A single specimen was found in the insect collec-
tion at the Archbold Biological Station (ABS). Comparisons are
made with Floritettix nigropicta and F. hubbelli, two species that oc-
cur in close geographical proximity to the new species. Habitus and
internal genitalia photographs were taken with a Leica Z16 stereo-
scope equipped with a Leica DFC420 camera and imaged at differ-
ent stages during dissection. Images were automontaged with the
Leica Application Suite. Measurements, made with a reticle mount-
ed inside a Leica MZ12.5 stereomicroscope, were taken as follows:

Body length—Dorsally from the fastigium vertices to the distal
end of the genicular lobe of caudal femur in a parallel plane with
the abdomen.

Pronotum length—Dorsally, along the median carina.

Cercus length—Laterally, maximum possible measurement of the
left cercus.

Cercus basal width—Laterally, along the point of attachment from
the dorsal to ventral margin.

Mid cercus width—Laterally, at the mid-length of the left cercus.
Cercus apex width—Laterally, along the distal end.

Copyright JoVonn G. Hill. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

134

J. G. HILL

Results

Key to male Floritettix

10’

11

Sheath produced over the dorsal valves of the aedeagus as large,
fleshy lobes that are as long as wide and are quadrate in lateral view
(eS C a5 2A) oo. Le ee, Be en. ee oe ee LR 3
Sheath not produced over dorsal valves of the aedeagus as large fleshy
lobes but instead the two present as narrow, keel-like projections that
are longer than wide and arched in lateral view (Fig. 1A, B)............... td
Dorsal valves with minimal sheathing; distal ends bilobate with the
ventral lobe longer than the dorsal one; ventral valves projecting be-
yond the end of the dorsal valves with acute apices (Figs 1A, 7C-G);
rami long and narrow; lateral bands on the pronotum yellowish (Fig.
7J); found widely over the western-half of peninsular Florida...........

sicrodaisdaradcaasideterguitad deraohicateaparaictyt Geuibeut Lada daages E hubbelli (Hebard, 1936)
Dorsal valves narrow, with moderate sheathing, not appearing bi-
lobed and extending beyond the length of the ventral valves (Fig.
1B); rami shorter and broad; known only from Manatee County on
thewest'eoastot Plofida' vet erm. ait. stats meine: F. ocilla Otte, 2014
Sheath quadrate in lateral view with length and height nearly equal
CET GSE sper aera Berta ak Seman Se Meee PW Pt Ne CEN -
Sheath oblong or ovate in lateral view with length greater than height
CRIgSPEA OAS) t sek Hal setae, adel ina ee iti Ra lea 6
Body grayish green with lateral and dorsal thoracic sulci strikingly black
colored (sometimes lost in pinned specimens) (Fig. 6J); apices of ven-
tral valves broad basally, apically acute (Figs 1C, 6C-G); found on the
Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida........... F. nigropicta (Hebard, 1936)
Body green, sulci not strikingly black (Figs 3, 5J); apices of ventral
Val Ves td iffereM te 14 te th Nata tenMeattle tc Meee Rh TN eB Meh Bee 5
Apices of ventral valves semifalciform (Fig. 1E); lateral striping on
the pronotum orange and black; subgenital plate and pallium gray
to grayish pink; found in Marion, Orange, or Putnam Counties in
Mepehe ast PLO ay. 4.0 50.2...e eee Maes E holotamico Otte, 2014
Apices of ventral valves broadly rounded (Fig. 1D); lateral striping
on the pronotum white subgenital plate and pallium pink found in
Highlands or Polk County in central Florida .............. EF. phlox sp.nov.
In lateral view, sheath of the aedeagus ovoid (Fig. 1F-J)............ 7
In lateral view, sheath of aedeagus oblong (Fig. 2A-D)
In lateral view, sheath of the aedeagus deeply ovoid (Fig. 1F-G)........ 8
In lateral view, sheath of the aedeagus broadly ovoid (Fig. 1H-J) .....9
In dorsal view, the sheath of the aedeagus is constricted near their mid-
point (Fig. 1F); apices of ventral valves acute (Fig. 1F); from Brevard or
Indian River Counties in east central Florida...... F. floridana Otte, 2014
In dorsal view, the sheath of the aedeagus is not constricted near
their midpoint (Fig. 1G); apices of ventral valves blunt (Fig. 1G);
frony central Pe@nidae, -, i.2 Lets! Sasha eat) EF. aptera (Scudder, 1897)
In dorsal view, the sheath of the aedeagus is wider than long
(Fig. 1H); ventral valves narrow; from Orange and Polk Counties in

Central POT ay siccsarsscneeasesiiertermcrtnapiommer nes ake EF, hadjoi Otte, 2014
In dorsal view, the sheath of the aedeagus is longer than wide
(BIBS TSI lat eee oes att le neieease ase eie ea amas 10

In ventral view, ventral valves more evenly triangular (Fig. 11); from
the west coast of Florida from Hillsborough County south to Lee
COUNT ideal dade ae al wiankoteeianE wie terls F. calusa Otte, 2014
In ventral view, ventral valves more obtusely triangular (Fig. 1J);
from the northern third of Florida into south Georgia...
aesdsasshussaneavas demas ssantge sete was Mend sgssaashsaiinme rceme oss E. borealis (Hebard, 1936)
Ventralevalves-not-declirved (Fig 2A, Bhan. seswiceonsuned Bboknwt Ussnepidioaances ile
Ventral valves decurved (Fig. 2C, D)

12 In lateral view, the sheath is very shallowly oblong; ventral valves
abruptly taper to a point (Fig. 2D); from southeast Florida...............
isd Uiae AERO BAITS de MAE Rete SIRE Ci MAM decade F. coquinae (Hebard, 1936)
In lateral view, the sheath is oblong; ventral valves shorter and ob-
tusely triangular (Fig. 2A); from Osceola and Seminole Counties in
Castecen tral PRG at Aa, ode Naat hone Abd anit cuehes. E osceola Otte, 2014
13. Sheath more evenly rounded apically, not constricted medially (Fig. 2B);
found on the Atlantic Coast of Florida in Duval, Flagler, and Volusia
Counties, east of the St. Johns River ................ F. simplex (Hebard, 1936)
13’ Sheath more acute apically, constricted medially (Fig. 2D); found in
northeast Florida in Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia
A OUI ELET ES, a sao 3s 4s sp esigiivava seme stv Rasagoneds toes say E saturiba (Hebard, 1936)

Taxonomy

Family Acrididae MacLeay, 1821
Subfamily Melanoplinae Scudder, 1897

Genus Floritettix Otte, 2014
Type species. —Floritettix aptera.

Floritettix phlox sp. nov.
https://zoobank.org/27893934-AA54-4081-9C26-75AE9CO7BD1C
Figs 1D, 3, 4A—C, 5A-J

Material ecamined.—Holotype: USA ¢ 3; FLA, Highlands Co., Avon
Park Air Force Range; 27.5788°N, -81.2516°W; 16 June 2015; J. G.
Hill, J. Barone, R. Noss, S. Orzell leg; low oak scrub, Bombing Range
Ridge; MEM. Other specimens examined: USA ¢ 10); Florida: Polk
Co., Avon Park Bombing Range; 24 September 1991; M.E. Dey-
rup leg ; ABS e 24, 19; Avon Park AFB; 27.6481°N, -81.2747°W;
20 June 2019; J.G. Hill, B.S. Dunaway leg; low oak scrub, Alpha
Range; MEM e 1; same data except; 27.6481 °N, -81.2736°W; J.G.
Hill leg.; low oak scrub, Alpha Range; MEM e 4; Avon Park AFB;
27.6744°N, -81.2861°W; 5 October 2021; M.J. Thorn leg.; scrubby
flatwoods/low oak scrub; MEM ¢ 1; same data except; J.G. Hill
leg.; MEM ¢ 34, 29; same data except; 27.6729°N, -81.2874°W;
5 October 2021; M.J. Thorn leg.; scrubby flatwoods and low oak
scrub; MEM e 29; same data except; J.G. Hill leg.; MEM e 44, 19;
27.6836°N, -81.2897°W; 5 October 2021; J.G. Hill leg.; MEM.

Diagnosis.—Differing from other Floritettix in the shape of the male
genitalia, which has the sheath produced over the dorsal valves as
two large adjacent, rounded-subquadrate lobes with a decided con-
cavity caudad, ventral valves that slightly curve dorsally with broad-
ly rounded apices, and a distinct geographic distribution (Figs 1D,
5C-J). Can be separated from F. nigropicta based on the green color-
ation of the body (grayish in FE nigropicta), the lack of black-colored
body sutures, and the shape of the male genitalia that are rounded
ventral valve apices and more rounded to subquadrate dorsal valve/
sheath complex (Figs 1D, 6C-J), and Floritettix holotamico by the
color of the dorsal lateral pronotal stripe (white in F phlox, orange
in E holotamico) and the shape of apices of the ventral valves (round
in FE. phlox and falcate in FE. holotamico). Floritettix hubbelli occurs in
the hyperseasonal Florida dry prairies that surround the Bombing
Range Ridge. Floritettix phlox can be distinguished from F. hubbelli
by the coloration of the post ocular and dorsal stripes (yellow in F
hubbelli and white with a pink border in E phlox) and the very differ-
ent shapes of the internal male genitalia (Figs 1A, D, 6C-G, 7C-G).

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

J. G. HILL 135

VV S
DV
DV(\K._ rc 8 vv
yeaa
€
G

floridana
hubbelli I
¢ a ‘4 aptera
ocilla
“OE PS Ow aN
na os
‘S nigropicta maajel
| : calusa
D phlox
F holotamico borealis

Fig. 1. Partial illustrations of male genitalia of Floritettix species showing the cingulum, rami, sheath of aedeagus, and distal portion of
dorsal and ventral valves in lateral, dorsal, and ventral (left to right) views; C-cingulum, RC-ramni of cingulum, S-sheath of aedeagus,
DV-dorsal valves, VV-ventral valves (gray). A. E hubbelli; B. E ocilla; C. FE. nigropicta; D. FE. phlox sp.nov.; E. FE holotamico; F. F. floridana; G.
E aptera; H. FE. hadjoi; 1. F. calusa; J. F. borealis.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

136

PR

PAe
PAA
PAA

Fig. 2. Partial illustrations of male genitalia of Floritettix species
showing the cingulum, rami, sheath of aedeagus, and distal por-
tion of dorsal and ventral valves in lateral, dorsal, and ventral
(left to right) views; C-cingulum, RC-ramni of cingulum, S-sheath
of aedeagus, VV-ventral valves (gray). A. FE coquinae; B. FE. osceola;
C. FE. simplex; D. F. saturiba.

J. G. HILL

Male measurements.—(in mm; n = 14) Body length 16.6-19.6
(mean = 18.1); pronotum length 3.3-3.7 (mean = 3.5); hind femur
length 8.6-9.8 (mean = 9.1); cerci length 0.6-1.0 (mean = 0.8);
basal width of cercus 0.3-0.5 (mean = 0.5); mid-cercal width 0.2
3-0.3(mean = 0.2); cerci apex width 0.1 (mean = 0.3).

Female measurements.—(in mm; n = 3) Body length 21.4-24.0
(mean = 22.5); pronotum length 4.4-5.1 (mean = 4.7); hind fe-
mur 10.5-12.2 (mean =11.5).

Description.—External morphology.—Body of medium size (Figs
4A-C, 5J). Head moderately large in proportion to the body (es-
pecially in females), having the face strongly oblique, fastigium
broad in dorsal view and produced anterior to the eyes; eyes large
and prominent, elongate-oval. Antennae filiform and slender, with
joints somewhat flattened. Pronotum with dense shallow punc-
tures throughout, distinctly widening from apex to base, female
widening only on the metazona. Median carina low, cut only by
the principal sulcus; lateral carinae absent; prozona over twice as
long as the metazona; with a feebly rounded front margin, meta-
zona with hind margin sub-truncate or broadly emarginate; lateral
lobes sub-vertical, nearly twice as long as deep, narrowing ven-
trally, tegmina vestigial, reduced to minute inconspicuous scales.
Tympanum large; prosternal spine cylindrical and slender with a
blunt apex, hind femora slender; slightly surpassing the abdomen
in the male and reaching the base of the ovipositor in the females.
Abdomen compressed and carinate; male supra-anal plate short,
triangular with lateral margins weakly convergent, with its mar-
gins rounded and reflexed and with a short basal median groove.
Cercus simple, triangular about twice as long as broad, tapering
to an acute apex (Fig. 3A, B). Furcula are a pair of minute diver-
gent lobes, slightly longer than wide. Sub-genital plate short, not
tuberculate, with a narrow chitinous ring that is slightly thicker in
the medially, tapering laterally. Pallium a large fleshy rounded flap
that rests over the base of the male genitalia.

Phallic structures.—Sheath produced over the dorsal valves
as two large proximo-lateral processes as in other species in the
genus, but more specifically as two large adjacent, rounded-sub-
quadrate lobes with a decided concavity caudad, the ventral pair

Fig. 3. Male Floritettix phlox sp.nov. Illustrated by Ashley Rude Baker.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

J. G. HILL

Fig. 4. Photos of live Floritettix phlox sp.nov. and the plant communities where specimens were collected. A. Lateral view of a live
male; B. Dorsal view of a live male; C. Lateral view of live female; D. Low oak scrub at the type locality; E. Scrubby flatwoods;
FE. Scrubby Flatwoods.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

J. G. HILL

a ~e a

Fig. 5. Floritettix phlox A. Dorsal view of terminalia; B. Lateral view of terminalia; C. Dorsal view of phallic complex; D. Lateral view of
phallic complex; E. Dorsal view of aedeagus; F. Lateral view of aedeagus; G. Caudal view of the aedeagus; H. Dorsal view of epiphallus;
I. Caudal view of epiphallus; J. Habitus.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

J. G. HILL

Fig. 6. Floritettix nigropicta A. Dorsal view of terminalia; B. lateral view of terminalia; C. Dorsal view of phallic complex; D. Lateral view
of phallic complex; E. Dorsal view of aedeagus; F. Lateral view of aedeagus; G. Caudal view of the aedeagus; H. Dorsal view of epiphal-
lus; I. Caudal view of epiphallus; J. Habitus.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

J. G. HILL

2
Mille

Fig. 7. Floritettix hubbelli A. Dorsal view of terminalia; B. Lateral view of terminalia; C. Dorsal view of phallic complex; D. Lateral view of
phallic complex; E. Dorsal view of aedeagus; F. Lateral view of aedeagus; G. Caudal view of the aedeagus; H. Dorsal view of epiphallus;
I. Caudal view of epiphallus; J. Habitus.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

J. G. HILL

of parameres situated ventro-proximad; adjacent, directed distad
and slightly curving dorsal to their broadly rounded apices. The
epiphallus is of the typical melanoploid shape, with lophi, anco-
rae, and an undivided bridge. More precisely, epiphallus with a
concave bridge, bilobed lophi, convexly curved lateral plates sub-
rectangular in shape with an angular anterior lobe and a long,
acute caudal tip; ancora closely set, triangular, taper to a point,
and decurved ventrally.

Coloration.—Overall greenish in life can fade to yellow in speci-
mens (Figs 3, 4A-C, 5J). Antenna light, white in life, turning dark-
er in specimens. Antennal crescent complete. Head, thorax, and
abdomen green. Males with a well-defined, white or pinkish-white
post-ocular stripe that extends to the caudal edge of the metazona
and a moderately broad white to pinkish-white stripe margined
with a suffusion of black extending medio-longitudinally on the
dorsum of the abdomen. Females typically lacking the post-ocular
stripes and with only a faint indication of the abdominal stripe.

a

14]

Mouthparts, supra-anal plate of male and the genicular area of
the hind femora pinkish-brown, genicular arches of latter black.
Female with mouthparts pinkish. Fore and middle tibia faintly
glaucous blue, tarsi gray. Caudal tibia black basally then glaucus
blue, caudal tarsi rich pink in males, females similar, but tibia can
be purplish. (Figs 3, 4A-C, 5J)

Distribution.—Floritettix phlox is known only from the Bombing
Range Ridge in Highlands and Polk Counties in Central Florida

(Fig. 8).

Etymology.—“phlox” from the Greek word for flame, in reference
to the frequent fires that occur on the Bombing Range Ridge that
maintains the habitat for the species. Further, the terminalia and
mandibular areas are pink like Phlox flowers.

Habitat.—Floritettix phlox appears to be restricted to the low oak
scrub and scrubby flatwoods on the Bombing Range Ridge (Fig.

Bombing
WW Range
~ Ridge

fl

ee
Map data ©2022 Google, INEGI

Ses = = POPS

Fig. 8. Map of Florida showing the location of the Bombing Range Ridge with an inset showing the Bombing Range Ridge, the Lake
Wales Ridge, and the collecting localities of Floritettix phlox sp.nov. Map data 2022 (C) Google.

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPTERA RESEARCH 2023, 32(2)

142

3D-F). Searches in the adjacent Florida dry prairies yielded only
specimens of F. hubbelli, and FE. nigropicta seems to replace it on
the adjacent Lake Wales Ridge. Floritettix phlox is typically found
on scrubby oaks with which it blends in quite well with (Fig. 3B).

Discussion

The sand ridges of Florida have been long recognized areas of en-
demism (Deyrup 1990). These well-drained ridges and uplands
are ancient islands that served as refuges during periods of high-
er sea level in the Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene (McNeill
1957). During that time, the islands were areas of evolutionary
divergence for populations separated by the sea but, due to their
edaphic conditions, still function as islands after the water retreat-
ed from the surrounding lowlands. The resulting habitat islands
support a xerophytic plant community called Florida scrub that
is characterized by low, evergreen sclerophyllous oaks (Quercus
ssp.), various shrubs, palmettos, sand pine (Pinus clausa), and nu-
merous forb species with interspersed areas of bare sand. Florida
scrub is a fire-maintained community, and in the absence of fire,
the oaks grow dense and tall, often reducing grasshopper diver-
sity and abundance (J. G. Hill unpublished data). The scrub on
the Bombing Range Ridge is maintained by frequent fires result-
ing from explosives used in military training exercises as well as
prescribed burns.

Studies on the speciation and biogeography of grasshoppers
inhabiting the scrub communities of these sand ridges has focused
on species belonging to the large genus Melanoplus Stal, 1873 (Hub-
bell 1932, Deyrup 1990, Woller 2017) and has largely ignored the
five genera endemic to the North American Coastal Plain (Hill
2018). Otte (2014) shows only county-level distributions and is
of limited use in determining fine-scale distributional patterns.
However, based on museum records and my own field studies, it
appears that F. nigropicta is endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge and F.
phlox to the Bombing Range Ridge. The Bombing Range Ridge rises
from the Osceola Plain, reaching elevations of 38.1-44.2 m.a.s.L.,
and is thought to be a relict marine sand bar. In places, it is sepa-
rated by as little as 2 km from the much larger Lake Wales Ridge
(Fig. 6), but the two do not share identical floras and faunas (Or-
zell 1993, Branch and Hokit 2000). The Arbuckle Creek lowlands
flow between the two ridges likely provides a dispersal barrier for
flightless scrub-inhabiting insects.

The discovery of Floritettix phlox demonstrates that there is
still a need for biodiversity exploration in the scrub communi-
ties on the Florida peninsula. Furthermore, given that Floritettix
is Florididan in distribution, phylogenetic and biogeographic
studies would likely yield results as equally interesting or great-
er than that of Melanoplus. Indeed, I have begun gathering speci-
mens of all the species in the genus in ethanol for population-
level study.

Acknowledgements

This publication is a contribution of the Mississippi Agricul-
ture and Forestry Experiment Station and was partially supported
by funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture
and the National Science Foundation (OPUS 2043909, J.G. Hill
PI). I thank Steve Orzell for facilitating access to the wonderful

J. G. HILL

natural areas on Avon Park Air Force Range and for sharing his
wealth of botanical and natural history knowledge. Additionally,
I thank Brady Dunaway, Matt Thorn, and Zach Brown for assist-
ing with collecting specimens and Ashley Baker for her assistance
producing the figures for this article. Ray Fisher provided helpful
edits on an early draft of this manuscript.

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