Broad-winged Tree Cricket
Oecanthus latipennis
This record describes Oecanthus latipennis (species). Recorded family: Oecanthidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The head has a true red color, the proximal portions of the antennae are dark red, and the hind 'knees' have an orange tint. These characteristics are found in Broad-winged Tree Crickets. The distal portion of the wings appear to be more than 3 times the width of the distal abdomen - hence the name. A great source for 'everything you ever wanted to know about tree crickets' is an article written in May 1915 by Bentley B. Fulton in a Technical Bulletin for the New York Agricultural Experiment Station. The Tree Crickets of New York: Life History and Bionomics
Wikipedia reference for Oecanthus latipennis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oecanthus_latipennis.
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
Trees and shrubs.
Geographic Range
Nebraska east to New Jersey then south to Florida then west to Texas and back north to Nebraska.
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.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Oecanthus latipennis. 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 Broad-winged Tree Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Wisconsin Oecanthinancy; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Broad-winged Tree Cricket
What is Broad-winged Tree Cricket?
Broad-winged Tree Cricket (Oecanthus latipennis) is a species in the family Oecanthidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Broad-winged Tree Cricket?
They are the largest tree cricket found in the US and Canada = 17mm to 22mm.
How do you identify Broad-winged Tree Cricket?
The head has a true red color, the proximal portions of the antennae are dark red, and the hind 'knees' have an orange tint. These characteristics are found in Broad-winged Tree Crickets. The distal portion of the wings appear to be more than 3 times the width of the distal abdomen - hence the name.
Where is Broad-winged Tree Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Trees and shrubs. |
| Range | Nebraska east to New Jersey then south to Florida then west to Texas and back north to Nebraska. |
What is the life cycle of a Broad-winged 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.