Mogoplistidae

Members of Mogoplistidae are distinguished from related cricket families by the presence of scales covering the abdomen and portions of the thorax, resembling the scales of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). This scaly covering is the primary diagnostic feature separating them from Gryllidae and other grylloid families.

Tropical and subtropical environments, often near water. Some species are specialized for coastal habitats: the Atlantic beach cricket (Pseudomogoplistes vicentae) inhabits cobble beaches, while the Mediterranean beach cricket (Pseudomogoplistes squamiger) occupies narrow belts of suitable coastal habitat. The Scaly Cricket (Pseudomogoplistes vicentae) in the UK lives amongst shingle and under large stones on beaches with large shingle.

Worldwide distribution with particular diversity in tropical regions. North America: 20 species in 4 genera. Europe: includes the scaly crickets. Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands: endemic Malgasiinae. Atlantic coasts: from North Africa to Great Britain, including Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Channel Islands, Wales, and England. Slovenia: Mediterranean beach cricket recently confirmed. East Asia: multiple Ornebius species described from China.

Omnivorous scavenging. Has been observed feeding on fungi, plant material, and other insects.

Eggs of at least some species take approximately one year to hatch. The Scaly Cricket (Pseudomogoplistes vicentae) lays eggs in driftwood using a long ovipositor (up to 5mm in females with body length up to 13mm), burying them deep for protection.

Some species are rare and of conservation concern. The Scaly Cricket (Pseudomogoplistes vicentae) and Field Cricket (Gryllus campestris) are legally protected in the UK. Strandline and beach-dwelling species depend on driftwood for shelter and egg-laying; removal of driftwood for beach cleaning or burning threatens populations.

• GryllidaeTrue crickets are sister taxon to Mogoplistidae but lack the distinctive scaly covering on abdomen and thorax; Mogoplistidae scales resemble those of Lepidoptera.
• RhaphidophoridaeCave crickets share long antennae and nocturnal habits but lack scales and have different body proportions; Mogoplistidae are not restricted to cave habitats.

• Orthoptera
• Grylloidea
• scaly crickets
• coastal
• beach specialist
• driftwood dependent
• rare species
• UK protected species
• Mediterranean
• Atlantic coast
• Madagascar endemic
• Burmese amber fossil
• scale covering
• Lepidoptera-like scales
• omnivorous
• nocturnal
• long ovipositor
• egg development one year
• shingle habitat
• cobble beaches
• strandline invertebrate
• conservation concern
• beach cleaning threat
• driftwood burning threat

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• What’s the difference between a cricket and a grasshopper? - Buglife Blog - Buglife
• Driftwood: The real treasure lining our beaches. - Buglife Blog - Buglife
• Prva potrditev pojavljanja obalnega murna Pseudomogoplistes squamiger (Fischer, 1853) (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae) v Sloveniji First confirmation of Mediterranean beach-cricket Pseudomogoplistes squamiger (Fischer, 1853) (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae) occurring in Slovenia
• A new species of Ornebius Guérin-Méneville, 1844 from East China (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae: Mogoplistinae)
• First observations of the Atlantic beach cricket, Pseudomogoplistes vicentae (Grylloidea: Mogoplistidae), in the Basque autonomous community, Spain
• First report of a wingless species of Ornebius—a scaly cricket usually with winged males (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae: Mogoplistinae)
• Morphometric variability and life history traits of the rareParamogoplistes novakiin comparison toMogoplistes brunneus(Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae)