Two-spotted Tree Cricket

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neoxabea bipunctata: /niːoʊˈzæbiə baɪˌpʌŋkˈteɪtə/

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Summary

Neoxabea bipunctata, commonly known as the two-spotted tree cricket, is a species of tree cricket found in North America, notable for its size, coloration, and the distinct mating behavior of males.

Physical Characteristics

20-22 mm long, reddish-brown head and foreparts fading to pale yellowish towards rear. Female has two elongated blackish spots on tegmen (forewings). Adult females have two large dark spots on their back, while adult males do not. Hind tibiae do not have spines. Basal segment of antenna has a blunt tooth on the outer side.

Identification Tips

Look for two elongated blackish spots on the forewings of females; males lack these spots. Young instars may pose with their abdomen pointed upwards.

Habitat

Deciduous woodlands and edges; generally high on tall plants or in trees.

Distribution

North America, including locations in Michigan, North Carolina, and Ontario.

Diet

Presumably feeds on plants.

Life Cycle

Females oviposit in small branches. Males sing mostly at night, producing a 10-second trill followed by silence. The life cycle includes several instars, with the wings encased in exoskeletons until the final molt before adulthood.

Reproduction

After mating, males hang downward from foliage, allowing females to hang on beneath and feed on secretions from the male's thorax. Females oviposit into branches.

Predators

Known prey of Isodontia auripes and other wasps.

Ecosystem Role

Serves as a food source for various predators and is involved in pollination and plant interactions due to its feeding habits.

Tags

• Neoxabea bipunctata
• Two-spotted Tree Cricket
• Gryllidae
• Orthoptera
• North America