Tree Crickets

Oecanthinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Infraorder: Gryllidea
Family: Gryllidae
Subfamily: Oecanthinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oecanthinae: //oʊˌɛkænˈθaɪni//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Pine Tree Cricket (Oecanthus pini) - Guelph, Ontario 2013-06-30 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Annual report of the Board of Control of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station (1914) (14778632871) by New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Board of Control. Used under a No restrictions license.

Oecanthus laricis imported from iNaturalist photo 43051533 on 19 November 2020 by (c) Bill Lucas, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Black-horned Tree Cricket (Oecanthus nigricornis) (15170887362) by Andrew C. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Davis' Tree Cricket - Flickr - treegrow by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Two-spotted Tree Cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) - Guelph, Ontario 01 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Oecanthinae, commonly known as tree crickets, are a subfamily of crickets characterized by their delicate, pale appearance and camouflaged habitats. They are prevalent across the U.S. and have an interesting life cycle and communication methods, making them significant to both the ecosystem and cultural studies.

Physical Characteristics

Medium-sized or small, delicate, usually pale green; long and skinny body; large powerful legs for jumping; prognathous jaws that project forward. Fore wings are leathery, hind wings are used for flight.

Identification Tips

Genus can be differentiated by markings on the first two antennal segments - the scape and the pedicel. Singing males can be identified by the number of pulses per second at a given temperature.

Habitat

Found in trees and shrubs, often camouflaged with their host plants. Some species can be found on various host plants like Post Oak, Red Maple, and Goldenrod.

Distribution

Widespread across the continental U.S. and expanding in Europe, reaching the UK by 2015.

Diet

Omnivorous, feeding on plant parts, other insects (especially soft-bodied), and commercial cricket powder when raised indoors.

Life Cycle

Undergo a paurometabolous development with five instar stages before reaching adulthood; nymphs resemble small adults and fully develop external wing buds.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in late summer/fall; eggs are laid in small holes drilled into bark and remain dormant over winter.

Predators

Grass-carrying Wasp (Isodontia).

Ecosystem Role

Important for controlling aphid populations and other soft-bodied insects; contribute to plant health by feeding on herbivorous insects.

Cultural Significance

The snowy tree cricket is used as an example of Dolbear's Law, with its chirping rate correlated with ambient temperature.