Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Cycloptilus
formerly placed in subfamily (Mogoplistinae) of family Gryllidae
BugGuide follows the classification of
Orthoptera Species File in placing the genus in family Mogoplistidae
Numbers
17 species in North America listed at
Singing Insects of North AmericaIdentification
body covered with translucent scales that rub off easily (see
close-up photo); last three segments of maxillary palps each shorter than greatest diameter of eye; ovipositor with blade wider than shaft at junction, and well differentiated; foretibia with anterior tympanum; hindtibia about three-fourths as long as hindfemur; adult males with forewings; male pronotum prolonged rearward
Range
mostly southeastern United States, with greatest species diversity in Florida; one species (C. distinctum) in California, two species (comprehendens, squamosum) in central states; three species (bidens, pigrum, tardum) reach coastal New England
Habitat
on bushes or under debris in sandy areas near water
See Also
Oligacanthopus prograptus foretibia has no tympanum, hindtibia about half as long as hindfemur, wingless, pronotum never prolonged rearward, species restricted to southern tip of Florida
Hoplosphyrum boreale (southern California to southcentral Texas) and Cycloptiloides americanus (southern tip of Florida) have last three segments of maxillary palps each longer than greatest diameter of eye, ovipositor with blade narrower than shaft at junction, and weakly differentiated
(
see links to these species at Singing Insects of North America)
Internet References
links to species accounts and
characteristics of genus plus common name reference (Singing Insects of North America, U. of Florida)
classification plus synonym and literature citations (Orthoptera Species File)
description and habitat (britannica.com)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 30 January, 2008 - 10:02pm
Last updated 30 January, 2008 - 11:47pm
