Long Cercus Field Cricket
Gryllus longicercus
This record describes Gryllus longicercus (species). Recorded family: Gryllidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Longest known cerci in the genus, sometimes exceeding the body length of pinned specimens
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Gryllidae (True Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Gryllinae
- Genus
- Gryllus (Field Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Rocky washes, rocky canyons, oak-juniper grassland with rocks
Geographic Range
Southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, with minor extensions into California, Utah, and Colorado
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: “In recognition of their long cerci, which sometimes exceed 19mm” pg. 226
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Gryllus longicercus. 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 Long Cercus Field Cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Long Cercus Field Cricket
What is Long Cercus Field Cricket?
Long Cercus Field Cricket (Gryllus longicercus) is a species in the family Gryllidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Long Cercus Field Cricket?
Longest known cerci in the genus, sometimes exceeding the body length of pinned specimens
Where is Long Cercus Field Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rocky washes, rocky canyons, oak-juniper grassland with rocks |
| Range | Southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, with minor extensions into California, Utah, and Colorado |