Smooth-legged Tree Crickets
Neoxabea
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Ensifera
- Infraorder: Gryllidea
- Family: Gryllidae
- Subfamily: Oecanthinae
- Genus: Neoxabea
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Neoxabea: /niː.oʊkˈzeɪ.bi.ə/
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Images
Summary
Neoxabea is a genus of smooth-legged tree crickets that includes several species, with distinct physical characteristics between males and females, and known for their habitats in a variety of vegetation.
Physical Characteristics
The female Two-spotted Tree Cricket has yellowish limbs, reddish brown head and pronotum, monochromatic wings with two large dark blotches. The male has a red tinged head and pronotum, pale pink-tinged wings, and pale flesh-toned limbs. Males have wings that lay atop their body, slimmer than those of Oecanthus males.
Identification Tips
Males can be identified by their slimmer wings that lay atop their bodies, while females have distinct dark blotches on their wings.
Habitat
Found on a wide variety of vegetation, including grapevine, sunflower, maple, white pine, apple trees, and post oak trees; typically located high on tall plants or at any level in trees.
Distribution
Neoxabea bipunctata ranges from Nebraska to Texas, east to Florida, north to New Hampshire, then west back to Nebraska, including Ontario. Neoxabea formosa is found in the extreme southern tip of Texas.
Diet
Typically feed on a variety of vegetation similar to their adult counterparts.
Life Cycle
They hatch in June and undergo paurometabolous development (Gradual Metamorphosis). Nymphs resemble small adults and gradually develop external wing buds.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in September through October, depending on the location.
Tags
- Orthoptera
- Crickets
- Neoxabea
- Gryllidae
- Entomology