Species Oecanthus pini - Pine Tree Cricket

At Words by William Whitaker, "pini" translates from latin to "pine".

Reddish brown head, pronotum, antennae and distal limbs. Eyes are pink. Antennal markings similar to O. nigricornis.

As of 1/2009, the SINA range map shows occurence to include the area from Missouri south to Texas then east to Florida then north to Maine then west to Michigan. Additionally, BugGuide has photos posted from Wisconsin and Ontario.

Generally found on conifers, particularly White Pine. However, also have been known to inhabit: Cedar, Juniper, Blue Spruce, Black Spruce and Japanese Yew. One female in southern Wisconsin was found on a flowering Goldenrod -- 10 -12 feet from an isolated Juniper. Tall Red Pines were located 50 feet away. One male in eastern Tennessee was attracted to a black light under an Eastern Hemlock (although a White Pine was 10 feet away.)

Tree crickets found on or near black barked conifers are often very darkly marked. Two examples:

Lyons, Colorado (near Ponderosa Pines -Younger trees have blackish-brown bark)

Quebec, Canada (near Pinus nigra)

Host tree fibers and soft bodied insects.

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.

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

Pine Tree Crickets can be confused with Tamarack Tree Crickets. Tamarack Tree Crickets are only known to inhabit Tamaracks and Eastern Hemlocks.

Singing Insects of North America has info including range, photos, and song.

University of Michigan has O. pini on its checklist.

status and distribution in Michigan; PDF doc (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)