Cnemotettix

Caudell, 1916

Silk-spinning Crickets

Species Guides

Cnemotettix is a of crickets in the Anostostomatidae, commonly known as silk-spinning crickets. The genus was established by Caudell in 1916 and contains five described , all named by Rentz & Weissman in 1973 except for the type species C. pulvillifer. These insects are characterized by their ability to produce silk, an unusual trait among crickets. The genus is found in western North America, with records from Mexico and California.

Cnemotettix by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Cnemotettix spinulus by (c) william_hoyer, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cnemotettix: /nɪˌmoʊˈtɛtɪks/

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Images

Distribution

Mexico; California (United States)

Behavior

Has been observed to produce silk, an uncommon capability among crickets that has earned the group the 'silk-spinning crickets'.

More Details

Species Diversity

The contains five described : C. bifasciatus, C. caudulus, C. miniatus, C. pulvillifer (type species, described 1916), and C. spinulus. Four of these were described simultaneously by Rentz & Weissman in 1973.