Comments on the neglected nymphs of mud crickets in the genus Mirhipipteryx (Caelifera: Tridactyloidea: Ripipterygidae).

Abstract

Mud crickets (family Ripipterygidae) comprise a small family of orthopterans distributed throughout much of the Neotropics, but knowledge of this groups' biology, ecology and distribution remains poor in comparison to most orthopteran taxa. Here we review the state of knowledge of nymphs in the genus Mirhipipteryx Günther 1969 and report the genus from Belize for the second time in 86 years. Because information about nymphs in this family is so scarce and nymphs are often neglected in species descriptions, we include comments on the coloration of nymphs for Mirhipipteryx pulicaria (Saussure 1896). Caution is suggested for the use of adult characters for the identification of immatures stages in the group. Nymphs of Mirhipipteryx pulicaria pulicaria are similar in coloration patterns to the adults, but lighter. Mirhipipteryx lobata Günther 1977 is designated a nomen nudum.