Belfrage's cricket
Trigonidomimus belfragei
This record describes Trigonidomimus belfragei (species). Recorded family: Gryllidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identified by the combination of: -- shortened forewings -- antennal placement low on head -- 2nd tarsal segments short and cylindrical -- hind tarsi with few pairs of spines -- ovipositor slim and straight. Known only from 5 specimens, all female (3 from TX, 1 from OK, and 1 from MX).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Gryllidae (True Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Pentacentrinae
- Genus
- Trigonidomimus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Unknown. All specimens were collected at lights.
Seasonal Activity
Specimens have been collected from August to October.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Trigonidomimus belfragei. 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 Belfrage's cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera; Additional contributions by Chuck Sexton
Frequently Asked Questions About Belfrage's cricket
What is Belfrage's cricket?
Belfrage's cricket (Trigonidomimus belfragei) is a species in the family Gryllidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Belfrage's cricket?
Identified by the combination of: -- shortened forewings -- antennal placement low on head -- 2nd tarsal segments short and cylindrical -- hind tarsi with few pairs of spines -- ovipositor slim and straight.
Where is Belfrage's cricket found?
Habitat: Unknown. All specimens were collected at lights.
When is Belfrage's cricket active?
Belfrage's cricket: seasonal activity - Specimens have been collected from August to October..