What is the order that includes grasshoppers and crickets?

The order that includes grasshoppers and crickets is Orthoptera. This classification is based on the shared characteristics of these insects, such as having two pairs of wings, with the forewings being more rigid than the hindwings, and their ability to produce sound through stridulation—an important behavior for communication, especially in mating. Orthoptera insects are usually herbivorous and are recognized for their long hind legs, which are adapted for jumping.

In contrast, Coleoptera refers to beetles and encompasses a wide variety of species known for their hardened forewings. Diptera includes flies and mosquitoes, distinguished by having a single pair of wings and a complex life cycle. Hemiptera represents true bugs, recognized for their distinctive mouthparts that are adapted for piercing and sucking. These traits are quite different from those found in grasshoppers and crickets, further solidifying Orthoptera as the correct choice in this instance.