Species Oecanthus fultoni - Snowy Tree Cricket

Fulton's Tree Cricket

Grillon de Fulton (French)

Thermometer Cricket

Charles De Geer published a description of a tree cricket in 1773 he called Gryllus niveus. Later authors assumed he was referring to this species, but Thomas J Walker showed in a 1962 article that De Geer's Gryllus niveus (since changed to Oecanthus) was really what was until then known as Oecanthus angustipennis. In the same article Walker included a description of the supposed Oecanthus niveus as Oecanthus fultoni- thus making that its official name.

References to Oecanthus niveus before 1962, therefore, mostly mean Oecanthus fultoni.

According to the original description: "It is named in honor of the late Dr. B. B. Fulton, who contributed more than any other worker to our knowledge of the biology and classification of tree crickets."

The common name "Snowy Tree Cricket" is probably translated from Oecanthus niveus, while the true Oecanthus niveus is called the "Narrow-Winged Tree Cricket", apparently from the obsolete name Oecanthus angustipennis (see Synonyms and other taxonomic changes, above).

The black antennal markings are close to being equal in size on both segments. The marking on the 2d segment is at least half the length of the entire segment -- which distinguishes it from Riley's. The orange-red area on the top of the head does not extend into the pronotum. (Can help distinguish it from Narrow-winged when the antennal markings are not visible in a photo.)

The antennae and limbs are pale. The body is green - and the wings usually give the female's body a 'marbled' appearance.

SINA maps show the only states where they are NOT found are: Florida, Mississippi and Montana. They have also been found in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Snowy Tree Crickets can be found on a wide variety of trees, shrubs and plants -- including potted plants and gardens. They generally are not found in grasses. They have been reported to be attracted to lights.

Tend to hatch in June and mate August through October -- depending on location.

leaves and blossoms of native plants

Undergo a paurometabolous development (Gradual Metamorphosis). Nymphs resemble small adults and gradually develop external wing buds. They live in the same habitat as adults, typically taking the same food.

For detailed information on life cycle and rearing, please see Raising Oecanthinae (tree crickets).

These are known as "thermometer crickets" -- by counting the number of chirps over 13 seconds and adding 40, one can accurately calculate Fahrenheit air temp.(1)

These are the crickets you hear in movies and on TV when they want to show that it's out in nature and very quiet.

Riley's Tree Cricket; Narrow-winged Tree Cricket

Snowy: The black spot on the 2d antennal segment is at least 1/2 the length of the segment and is centrally located.

Riley's: The black spot on the 2d antennal segment is less than 1/2 the length of the segment and is located nearer to the top edge of the segment.

A great source for 'everything you ever wanted to know about tree crickets' is an article written in May 1915 by Bentley B. Fulton in a Technical Bulletin for the New York Agricultural Experiment Station. The Tree Crickets of New York: Life History and Bionomics (PDF format, 12 MB)