The morphology of the internal male genitalia of selected genera of Melanoplinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) was studied. A detailed comparison of these structures was carried out, in an attempt to identify new characters that may be useful in analyzing relationships between the members of the subfamily. Twenty-two genera were examined, mostly of North American distribution, using one exemplar species for each of them. Standard dissection and drawing techniques were followed. The epiphallus and the apical parts of the aedeagus were found to be the most important taxonomic characters. The genera Aptenopedes and Buckellacris were highly divergent from the rest of the melanoplines, while the close relationship between Appalachia, Dendrotettix and Podisma was confirmed by genital characters. Internal male genitalic characters did not provide significant support for many currently recognized tribes and subtribes, suggesting that there is a great need for reclassification in the subfamily.

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