Forbes' Tree Cricket
Oecanthus forbesi
This record describes Oecanthus forbesi (species). Recorded family: Oecanthidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species usually has a yellowish head. The antennal markings are very similar to Black-horned Tree Cricket. A vertical black strip on the medial portion of the scape (1st segment) and a shorter horizontal teardrop shape on the upper portion of the segment. Two horizontal marks are separated by a space on the pedicel (2d segment). Forbes' and Black-horned are very difficult to ID -- only the pulses per second (p/sec) of their song can distinguish one from the other. Forbes' pulses per second raises on hot days and lowers on cooler days; while the Black-horned TC's song remains fairly constant. On an 80+ degrees day Forbes' pulses per second will be approximately 80 p/sec and on a 60 degree day their call will be approximately 60 p/sec. The female has a green body. The male usually has a darkened strip in the center of the pronotum. This is a sonogram of a male Forbes' tree cricket singing:
Wikipedia reference for Oecanthus forbesi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oecanthus_forbesi.
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
Similar habitat to Black-horned Tree Cricket -- low to the ground on various plants. May be found in low to the ground branches of small trees.
Geographic Range
As a general rule, Forbes' is found west of Ohio; Black-horned is found east of Ohio. They are best ID'd by the rate of the male's song.
Seasonal Activity
Tend to hatch in June and mate August to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Undergo a paurometabolous development (Gradual Metamorphosis). Nymphs resemble small adults and gradually develop external wing buds. They live in the same habitat as adults, typically taking the same food. Click on an image below to view the Life Cycle: Female Male
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Oecanthus forbesi. 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 Forbes' Tree Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Wisconsin Oecanthinancy; Additional contributions by David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Forbes' Tree Cricket
What is Forbes' Tree Cricket?
Forbes' Tree Cricket (Oecanthus forbesi) is a species in the family Oecanthidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Forbes' Tree Cricket?
This species usually has a yellowish head. The antennal markings are very similar to Black-horned Tree Cricket. A vertical black strip on the medial portion of the scape (1st segment) and a shorter horizontal teardrop shape on the upper portion of the segment. Two horizontal marks are separated by a space on the pedicel (2d segment). Forbes' and Black-horned are very difficult to ID -- only the pulses per second (p/sec) of their song can distinguish one from the other. Forbes' pulses per second raises on hot days and lowers on cooler days; while the Black-horned TC's song remains fairly constant. On an 80+ degrees day Forbes' pulses per second will be approximately 80 p/sec and on a 60 degree day their call will be approximately 60 p/sec. The female has a green body. The male usually has a darkened strip in the center of the pronotum.
Where is Forbes' Tree Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Similar habitat to Black-horned Tree Cricket -- low to the ground on various plants. May be found in low to the ground branches of small trees. |
| Range | As a general rule, Forbes' is found west of Ohio; Black-horned is found east of Ohio. They are best ID'd by the rate of the male's song. |
When is Forbes' Tree Cricket active?
Forbes' Tree Cricket: seasonal activity - Tend to hatch in June and mate August to October..
What is the life cycle of a Forbes' Tree Cricket?
Undergo a paurometabolous development (Gradual Metamorphosis). Nymphs resemble small adults and gradually develop external wing buds. They live in the same habitat as adults, typically taking the same food. Click on an image below to view the Life Cycle: Female Male