spectacular scaly cricket
Cycloptilum spectabile
This record describes Cycloptilum spectabile (species). Recorded family: Mogoplistidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The largest species of scaly cricket described from the U.S., and the most colorful in life. Purplish russet pronotum, banded grey and white abdomen; orange legs, very long cerci.
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
Mangroves
Geographic Range
Coastal south FL
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Cycloptilum spectabile. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About spectacular scaly cricket
What is spectacular scaly cricket?
spectacular scaly cricket (Cycloptilum spectabile) is a species in the family Mogoplistidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify spectacular scaly cricket?
The largest species of scaly cricket described from the U.S., and the most colorful in life. Purplish russet pronotum, banded grey and white abdomen; orange legs, very long cerci.
Where is spectacular scaly cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mangroves |
| Range | Coastal south FL |