Sage Tree Cricket
Oecanthus salvii
This record describes Oecanthus salvii (species). Recorded family: Oecanthidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Most notable character are deep black setae on the hind femora. Named for Lodovico Salvi, who included drawings of a male and female tree cricket, and oviposit markings in a stem, in a 1750 article. The first tree cricket in Europe was officially described in 1763 by Scopoli (Oecanthus pellucens). It is believed the tree crickets that Salvi wrote about and drew in 1750 were Oecanthus pellucens.
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
Sagebrush and rabbitbrush.
Geographic Range
Currently known only in Modoc County, northeast California.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for the color of these tree crickets, as well as host plants sagebrush and rabbitbrush.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Oecanthus salvii. 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 Sage Tree Cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Wisconsin Oecanthinancy; Additional contributions by kschnei
Frequently Asked Questions About Sage Tree Cricket
What is Sage Tree Cricket?
Sage Tree Cricket (Oecanthus salvii) is a species in the family Oecanthidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Sage Tree Cricket?
Most notable character are deep black setae on the hind femora.
Where is Sage Tree Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sagebrush and rabbitbrush. |
| Range | Currently known only in Modoc County, northeast California. |