Western Trilling Cricket

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gryllus integer: /ˈɡrɪləs ˈɪntɛɡər/

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Summary

The Western Trilling Cricket (Gryllus integer) is known for its unique continuous trilling song and is primarily found in the Western United States. It lives in disturbed areas and has distinct mating behaviors influenced by its environment and temperature.

Physical Characteristics

Medium to large size (17.1-24.0 mm); blackish body (both above and below) with lighter tegmina and base of hind legs; head narrower than pronotum; pronotum somewhat pilose; typically long-winged but may shed wings when molested.

Identification Tips

Look for the nearly continuous trilling song; the head is usually narrower than the pronotum, and the body is typically dark in color with notable light brown tegmina.

Habitat

Found in cracks or burrows in the ground in disturbed areas such as roads or by buildings, and around human habitation.

Distribution

Southwestern United States, from southern Oregon into western Kansas & Texas and southward into Mexico.

Life Cycle

Has multiple generations in southern regions, most common in spring and sometimes again in late summer further north; probably overwinters as nymphs.

Reproduction

Males attract females using a continuous trilling song produced through tegminal stridulation; females may mate with multiple males, storing sperm.

Predators

Insectivorous animals such as spiders, reptiles, rodents, birds, and bats; parasites include the tachinid fly Ormia ochracea and Exoristoides johnsoni.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a food source for various predators; its calling behavior plays a role in mating dynamics and species interactions.

Similar Taxa

• Gryllus texensis

Tags

• cricket
• orthoptera
• song
• habitat
• predation