Utabaenetes tanneri
Tinkham, 1970
Tanner's black camel cricket
Utabaenetes tanneri is a dune-dwelling camel cricket to the San Rafael Desert and adjacent Colorado Plateau of Utah. It exhibits a matutinal activity pattern, constructing burrows for afternoon shelter. The can reach high local abundances (up to 0.23 individuals per square meter) and may function as a Batesian mimic of sympatric tenebrionid beetles.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Utabaenetes tanneri: /ˌjuːtəbaeˈnɛtiːz ˈtænəraɪ/
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Images
Habitat
Areas of loose sand or active dunes in arid desert environments. Individuals construct burrows for shelter.
Distribution
to the San Rafael Desert and adjacent Colorado Plateau, Garfield County, Utah, United States.
Diet
: consumes plant material, detritus, and crickets ( observed).
Behavior
Matutinal daily activity pattern. Constructs burrows for shelter in the afternoon. Possibly a Batesian mimic of sympatric tenebrionid beetles, which may explain low observed rates despite being preyed upon by several .
Ecological Role
Important in arid . Prey for numerous . Among the most abundant arthropods where it occurs.
More Details
Population Density
Mean abundance of 482 crickets with of 0.23 individuals per square meter recorded at one study plot; another plot had mean abundance of 50 crickets at 0.022 individuals per square meter.
Predation
Has been found in the diet of several predatory , although total number of observed instances is low.