black-faced scaly cricket
Cycloptilum kelainopum
This record describes Cycloptilum kelainopum (species). Recorded family: Mogoplistidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Clypeus, labrum, and genae piceous and strikingly distinct
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Mogoplistidae (Scaly Crickets)
- Genus
- Cycloptilum (Common Scaly Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Restricted to mangroves in FL; in TX found on 'windblown, cedar-like trees [Tamarix spp?] just back of the Gulf of Mexico beach"
Geographic Range
Gulf Coast of FL and the Keys, plus a single record from the Gulf Coast of TX
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Cycloptilum kelainopum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of black-faced scaly cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About black-faced scaly cricket
What is black-faced scaly cricket?
black-faced scaly cricket (Cycloptilum kelainopum) is a species in the family Mogoplistidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify black-faced scaly cricket?
Clypeus, labrum, and genae piceous and strikingly distinct
Where is black-faced scaly cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Restricted to mangroves in FL; in TX found on 'windblown, cedar-like trees [Tamarix spp?] just back of the Gulf of Mexico beach |
| Range | Gulf Coast of FL and the Keys, plus a single record from the Gulf Coast of TX |