Japanese Burrowing Cricket
Velarifictorus micado
This record describes Velarifictorus micado (species). Recorded family: Gryllidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Pale transverse band between the eyes Calls from mouth of its burrow.
Wikipedia reference for Velarifictorus micado: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velarifictorus_micado.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Gryllidae (True Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Gryllinae
- Genus
- Velarifictorus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassy edges of fields and woods, edges of freshwater wetlands
Geographic Range
native to Asia, adventive in our area; recorded east of Great Plains and south of Great Lakes and New England. Likely introduced originally to Mobile, AL, and perhaps still spreading.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
1st instar 2nd/3rd instar 4th instar Adults
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Velarifictorus micado (Saussure 1877); described from Kagoshima Pref., Japan
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Velarifictorus micado. 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 Japanese Burrowing Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Ted Kropiewnicki , v belov , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese Burrowing Cricket
What is Japanese Burrowing Cricket?
Japanese Burrowing Cricket (Velarifictorus micado) is a species in the family Gryllidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Japanese Burrowing Cricket?
Pale transverse band between the eyes Calls from mouth of its burrow.
Where is Japanese Burrowing Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Grassy edges of fields and woods, edges of freshwater wetlands |
| Range | native to Asia, adventive in our area; recorded east of Great Plains and south of Great Lakes and New England. Likely introduced originally to Mobile, AL, and perhaps still spreading. |
What is the life cycle of a Japanese Burrowing Cricket?
1st instar 2nd/3rd instar 4th instar Adults