Schizodactylidae

Schizodactylidae
Temporal range:
Schizodactylus monstrosus from Rajasthan
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Superfamily: Schizodactyloidea
Family: Schizodactylidae
Karny, 1927
Synonyms
  • Brauckmanniidae Martins-Neto 2007
  • Comicinae Ander, 1939
  • Schizodactylini Blanchard, 1845

Schizodactylidae is a family of orthopteran insects found in Asia and southern Africa, known as dune crickets or splay-footed crickets. They are usually found in desert and sandy areas. Species are predatory, including Schizodactylus inexspectatus. T. B. Fletcher notes that one captive individual did not feed on any vegetable matter. Fossils are known since the Early Cretaceous.