Neoxabea

Kirby, 1906

Smooth-legged Tree Crickets

Species Guides

Neoxabea bipunctata(Two-spotted Tree Cricket)

Neoxabea is a of smooth-legged tree crickets in the Oecanthidae, comprising approximately 14 described . Members of this genus are characterized by reduced tibial spines compared to other tree crickets. The genus has been documented in the Americas, with records from the United States through Central America to South America. Research on Neoxabea bipunctata has revealed distinctive post-copulatory reproductive including male mate guarding and extended attachment.

Neoxabea bipunctata by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Neoxabea bipunctata by (c) Aaron Carlson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Aaron Carlson. Used under a CC-BY license.

Neoxabea bipunctata by (c) Raven Dandridge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Raven Dandridge. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neoxabea: /niː.oʊkˈzeɪ.bi.ə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Oecanthidae by smooth or reduced spines on the tibiae (legs), in contrast to the more prominently spined legs of related tree crickets such as Oecanthus. Specific identification requires examination of genitalic structures and tegminal (forewing) characteristics.

Images

Distribution

Recorded from the United States (Alabama, Arkansas), Mexico, Brazil (Southeast), and Argentina (Northeast). Distribution records suggest a primarily Neotropical and Nearctic range.

Behavior

Males of at least one (Neoxabea bipunctata) exhibit post-copulatory mate guarding, remaining with females after mating. remain attached to females for extended periods following copulation, potentially functioning as mate guarding or sperm competition mechanisms.

Similar Taxa

OecanthusOecanthus share the 'tree crickets' and occur in similar , but possess more prominent tibial spines compared to the smooth-legged condition in Neoxabea.
XabeaClosely related within the same tribe Xabeini; morphological distinctions involve genitalic and tegminal characters requiring detailed examination.

More Details

Taxonomic note

placement varies in sources: Catalogue of Life and iNaturalist place Neoxabea in Oecanthidae, while GBIF and NCBI list Gryllidae. Current consensus favors Oecanthidae.