Explanation of Names
Myrmecophilus Berthold, 1827
Numbers
5 spp. in our area, 1 introduced
Identification
M. americanus - south FL (introduced)
M. pergandei - eastern U.S.
M. oregonensis - west coast
---no image--- M. manni - western U.S.
M. nebrascensis - central and southwestern U.S.
Food
Detritus and ant waste. In captivity, they may feed on fruits, grain foods, and food molds.
Life Cycle
Eggs take about a month or more to hatch.
Remarks
Ant cricket species are associated with certain species of ants.
Print References
Hebard M. (1920). A revision of the North American species of the genus
Myrmecophila. Trans. Am. Entomol. Soc. (Phila). 46: 91-111. (
Full Text)
Henderson G, Akre R.D. (1986a). Biology of the Myrmecophilous cricket,
Myrmecophila manni (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 59: 454-467. (
Full Text)
Henderson G, Akre R.D. (1986b). Dominance hierarchies in
Myrmecophila manni (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Pan. Pac. Entomol. 62: 24-28. (
Full Text)
Henderson G, Akre R.D. (1986c). Morphology of
Myrmecophila manni, a myrmecophilous cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). J. Entomol. Soc. B C. 83: 57-62. (
Full Text)
Wheeler W. M. (1900). The habits of
Myrmecophila nebrascensis Bruner. Psyche 9:111-113. (
Full Text)