Tree-cricket
Guides
Macrorileya oecanthi
Macrorileya oecanthi is a species of chalcid wasp in the family Eurytomidae. It was described by William H. Ashmead in 1894. The specific epithet 'oecanthi' indicates an association with tree crickets of the genus Oecanthus, suggesting this species may be a parasitoid or inquiline associated with these orthopteran hosts. The species is known from scattered records in the eastern and central United States.
Neoxabea
Smooth-legged Tree Crickets
Neoxabea is a genus of smooth-legged tree crickets in the family Oecanthidae, comprising approximately 14 described species. 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 behaviors including male mate guarding and extended spermatophore attachment.
Neoxabea bipunctata
Two-spotted Tree Cricket
Neoxabea bipunctata, commonly known as the two-spotted tree cricket, is a North American tree cricket species in the family Oecanthidae. The species has been the subject of behavioral research focusing on post-copulatory mate guarding by males. It is widely distributed across eastern and central North America, with over 8,900 observations documented on citizen science platforms. The species was originally described by De Geer in 1773 under the basionym Gryllus bipunctatus.
Oecanthus
tree crickets, common tree crickets
Oecanthus is a genus of tree crickets comprising approximately 20 recognized species distributed across North America and other regions. These small, slender crickets are known for their distinctive acoustic communication, with males producing species-specific songs by stridulating their modified forewings. The genus includes both arboreal species found in shrubs and trees, as well as species inhabiting grassy fields and meadows.
Oecanthus beameri
White Sands Tree Cricket
Oecanthus beameri is a recently described species of tree cricket discovered by citizen scientist Nancy Collins and formally named in 2022. It is one of the smallest members of the genus Oecanthus. The species is known from very few observations, with iNaturalist records indicating only two documented sightings. As a newly described taxon, much of its biology remains undocumented.
Oecanthus californicus
Western Tree Cricket
Oecanthus californicus, the Western Tree Cricket, is a species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae. It is found in western North America, including the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is one of five tree cricket species recorded in Colorado. Males produce songs by stridulating their forewings to attract females, and engage in courtship feeding involving a metanotal gland secretion. The species has been observed in habitats ranging from coniferous woodlands to grassy fields and meadows.
Oecanthus californicus pictipennis
A subspecies of Western Tree Cricket found in western North America. Males produce species-specific songs by stridulating modified forewings to attract females. Like other tree crickets, males possess a metanotal gland that secretes a feeding substance consumed by females during courtship. Identification to subspecies level requires examination of antennal markings on the first two basal segments.
Oecanthus celerinictus
fast-calling tree cricket
Oecanthus celerinictus, the fast-calling tree cricket, is a North American tree cricket species in the family Oecanthidae. It is distinguished from congeners primarily by its rapid calling song. The species occurs in the southeastern United States.
Oecanthus forbesi
Forbes' tree cricket
Oecanthus forbesi is a species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae, native to North America. The species is closely related to O. nigricornis and can be distinguished reliably only by the pulse rate of the male's song, which increases with temperature. Males produce sound through stridulation, with a measured rate of 55-56 pulses per second at approximately 15°C. The species has a yellowish head with distinctive black markings on the first two antennal segments.
Oecanthus fultoni
snowy tree cricket, thermometer cricket
A North American tree cricket known for its distinctive chirping used in film soundtracks. The species exhibits a temperature-dependent chirp rate that allows temperature estimation. Adults are active from mid-July to mid-November. The species was formally described in 1962 after being confused with O. niveus for nearly two centuries.
Oecanthus laricis
Tamarack Tree Cricket, Laricis Tree Cricket
A small tree cricket endemic to the Great Lakes region of North America. Adults measure 13–15 mm with green forewings. The species produces one generation annually and is closely associated with tamarack (Larix laricina) and other coniferous trees.
Oecanthus latipennis
Broad-winged tree cricket
Oecanthus latipennis, the broad-winged tree cricket, is a species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae. It is found in eastern North America, with records from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and surrounding regions. Like other members of the genus Oecanthus, males produce songs by stridulation to attract females. The species is distinguished from congeners by its relatively broad forewings.
Oecanthus nigricornis
black-horned tree cricket, common tree cricket
Oecanthus nigricornis, commonly known as the black-horned tree cricket, is a species of tree cricket in the subfamily Oecanthinae found across North America. Males produce a distinctive courtship song using modified forewings and offer nutritional glandular secretions from a metanotal gland as nuptial gifts during mating. The species has been documented as a host for the parasitoid fly Stylogaster neglecta, with juvenile parasitism rates varying considerably across its range.
Oecanthus niveus
narrow-winged tree cricket, snowy tree cricket
Oecanthus niveus is a small tree cricket species in the family Oecanthidae, first described by Charles de Geer in 1773 from a Pennsylvania specimen. Adults measure 13–16 mm and are pale green with distinctive orange markings on the head. The species is notable for its temperature-dependent calling song, with males producing sounds at rates and frequencies that vary predictably with ambient temperature. It occurs primarily in eastern North America and the Caribbean, where it inhabits broad-leaved trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation.
Oecanthus pini
Pine Tree Cricket
Oecanthus pini, the pine tree cricket, is a species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae. It is found in North America, with records from Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, and Indiana. The species is part of the genus Oecanthus, which includes several other tree cricket species such as O. argentinus, O. californicus, O. niveus, and O. quadripunctatus.
Oecanthus quadripunctatus
Four-spotted Tree Cricket
Oecanthus quadripunctatus, the four-spotted tree cricket, is a small cricket species in the subfamily Oecanthinae. It is one of five tree cricket species documented in Colorado and occurs across North America. The species is distinguished by markings on the first two antennal segments, though identification to species can be challenging due to the minute size of these diagnostic features. Males produce songs using modified forewings and possess a metanotal gland that secretes a substance consumed by females during courtship.
Oecanthus rileyi
Riley's tree cricket, pine tree cricket
Oecanthus rileyi, commonly known as Riley's tree cricket or pine tree cricket, is a North American tree cricket species in the family Oecanthidae. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive singing behavior and arboreal habits. The species was described by Baker in 1905.
Oecanthus salvii
Sage Tree Cricket
Oecanthus salvii, described by Collins in 2020, is a recently recognized species of tree cricket in the family Oecanthidae. Known by the common name Sage Tree Cricket, this species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive acoustic communication and specialized courtship behaviors. As a newly described taxon, detailed biological information remains limited. The species has been documented through citizen science observations, with records accumulating on platforms such as iNaturalist.
Oecanthus texensis
Texas Tree Cricket
Oecanthus texensis is a tree cricket species described in 2013 from Texas. It belongs to a genus known for distinctive courtship behaviors, including male singing and metanotal gland secretions that females feed upon during mating. Like other Oecanthus species, it is likely small, green, and cryptic in vegetation. The species was distinguished from congeners based on morphological and acoustic characteristics.