Sand Field Cricket
Gryllus firmus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Ensifera
- Infraorder: Gryllidea
- Family: Gryllidae
- Subfamily: Gryllinae
- Genus: Gryllus
- Species: firmus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gryllus firmus: /ˈɡrɪl.lʊs ˈfɪr.mʊs/
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Summary
Gryllus firmus, or sand field cricket, is a species of cricket found in southeastern U.S. coastal plains, notable for its distinct chirping calls and unique reproductive strategies.
Physical Characteristics
Black head and prothorax, brown abdomen. Males have larger heads and distinct chirping calls compared to similar species.
Identification Tips
Distinguished from Gryllus rubens and Gryllus texensis by forewing coloration and call; G. firmus chirps while the others trill.
Habitat
Typically found in grasslands, pastures, roadside verges, and lawns on light, free-draining sandy soils.
Distribution
Range extends from Connecticut and New Hampshire to Florida and Texas, primarily in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States.
Life Cycle
Overwinters primarily as eggs, with some individuals hatching in late summer or autumn as young nymphs; adults present from late spring to frost.
Reproduction
Exhibits wing polymorphism; females lay two types of eggs - some develop quickly (2-4 weeks), while others have a diapause (5-28 weeks). Proportion of quick-developing eggs varies from 50% to 95%.
Evolution
G. firmus is possibly a regional subspecies of Gryllus pennsylvanicus, with hybridization occurring where ranges overlap.
Misconceptions
May be confused with Gryllus pennsylvanicus due to similar appearances, particularly where their ranges overlap.
Tags
- Gryllus firmus
- sand field cricket
- southeastern United States
- orthoptera
- cricket