White Sands Tree Cricket
Oecanthus beameri
This record describes Oecanthus beameri (species). Recorded family: Oecanthidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
The dominant shrub in the area of collection was hoary rosemary mint, Poliomintha incana, which is a gypsophile with whitish-green leaves and stems.
Geographic Range
Currently known only from areas of white sand in New Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
Not yet known if one or two generations. Known to be larvae in early summer - and adults in summer and early autumn.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Not yet known if one or two generations.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Oecanthus beameri. 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 White Sands Tree Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Wisconsin Oecanthinancy
Frequently Asked Questions About White Sands Tree Cricket
Where is White Sands Tree Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The dominant shrub in the area of collection was hoary rosemary mint, Poliomintha incana, which is a gypsophile with whitish-green leaves and stems. |
| Range | Currently known only from areas of white sand in New Mexico. |
When is White Sands Tree Cricket active?
White Sands Tree Cricket: seasonal activity - Not yet known if one or two generations. Known to be larvae in early summer - and adults in summer and early autumn..
What is the life cycle of a White Sands Tree Cricket?
Not yet known if one or two generations.