Alexander's Tree Cricket
Oecanthus alexanderi
This record describes Oecanthus alexanderi (species). Recorded family: Oecanthidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Pale green, translucent wings, pale antennae, antennal markings similar to O. rileyi, orange patch on head. Has an unusual call for a tree cricket. The song can be heard on the SINA website at: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/buzz/575a.htm
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Oecanthidae (Tree and Bush Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Oecanthinae
- Genus
- Oecanthus (Common Tree Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Shrubs and plants.
Geographic Range
Mexico and extreme southern Texas (heard at Resaca de la Palma State Park, Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, and in the parking lot of the Marriott Hotel in Laredo).
Seasonal Activity
Encountered in May and June in southern Texas.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Click on an image to view the life cycle:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for Dr. Richard D. Alexander, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and a Member of the National Academy of Sciences who discovered the species in Mexico in 1965. It remained undescribed and unnamed until 2009 -- when it was discovered in Texas. It has been described in the Journal of Orthoptera Research by Dr. Thomas J. Walker, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida - Gainesville (co-authored by Nancy Collins.)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Oecanthus alexanderi. 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 Alexander's Tree Cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Wisconsin Oecanthinancy; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexander's Tree Cricket
What is Alexander's Tree Cricket?
Alexander's Tree Cricket (Oecanthus alexanderi) is a species in the family Oecanthidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Alexander's Tree Cricket?
17mm
How do you identify Alexander's Tree Cricket?
Pale green, translucent wings, pale antennae, antennal markings similar to O. rileyi, orange patch on head. Has an unusual call for a tree cricket. The song can be heard on the SINA website at: http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/buzz/575a.htm
Where is Alexander's Tree Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Shrubs and plants. |
| Range | Mexico and extreme southern Texas (heard at Resaca de la Palma State Park, Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, and in the parking lot of the Marriott Hotel in Laredo). |
When is Alexander's Tree Cricket active?
Alexander's Tree Cricket: seasonal activity - Encountered in May and June in southern Texas..
What is the life cycle of a Alexander's Tree Cricket?
Click on an image to view the life cycle: