Cricket - Gryllus texensis

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids (Orthoptera) » Long-horned Orthoptera (Ensifera) » Crickets (Gryllidea) » True Crickets (Gryllidae) » Field Crickets (Gryllinae) » Field Crickets (Gryllus) » Texas Trilling Cricket (Gryllus texensis)

Photo#78450

Copyright © 2006 Ed Johnson

Cricket - Gryllus texensis -

Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas, USA
September 20, 2006

Here is what I believe is a common Field Cricket - Gryllus sp.

My question is: What are the two long spikes on the tail (on each side of the ovipositor) called, and what purpose to they serve?

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Contributed by Ed Johnson on 20 September, 2006 - 11:36pm
Last updated 2 January, 2012 - 4:17am

Moved

Moved from Field Crickets.

… David J. Ferguson, 2 January, 2012 - 4:17am

Hey Ed,

the long structures on either side of the ovipositor are appendages known as cerci. These are sensory organs that help the cricket to feel the environment behind it, just as the cricket uses its antennae to feel the area ahead. Some insects have cerci that are easily visible, while in others it is a small vestigal structure (having no function). Certain insects such as earwings use their cerci for defense, while others use them during mating. Other examples of insects with cerci include grasshoppers, mantids, stoneflies and cockroaches.

… Stephen Luk, 21 September, 2006 - 12:00am

That was quick!!

Thanks so much for the fast response, Stephen. The information is much appreciated.

....Ed....

… Ed Johnson, 21 September, 2006 - 12:08am

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