Systematics and Acoustic Behavior of United States and Caribbean Short-Tailed Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Anurogryllus)1

Abstract

Anurogryllus muticus (De Geer) occurs from northern South America, through the Lesser Antilles, to Puerto Rico and Jamaica. A. celerinictus, n. sp., is known from Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Big Pine Key, Florida. A. arboreus, n. sp., occurs from New Jersey and Oklahoma southward to Big Pine Key and Texas. A antillarum (Saussure) and A. arbortivus (Saussure) are known only from the Cuban types. All nonteneral adults of arboreus and most of celcrinictus and muticus are dealated; only celerinictus and muticus fly. Seasonal life history, subsocial behavior, and characteristics of the burrows of females and juveniles are known only for arboreus and Argentine muticus. Calling behavior is known for males of three species. A. arboreus and celerinictus restrict their calling to the first two hours after sunset; muticus calls as late as four hours after sunset. A. celerinictus and muticus call from the ground; arboreus usually calls from vegetation 0.3–2 meters above the ground. The calling songs are longsustained, intense trills with wingstroke rates at 25°C of 77 per second for arboreus, 140 per second for muticus, and 180 per second for celerinictus. A. celerinictus has the highest long-sustained wingstroke rate yet reported for crickets. Acoustic behavior during courtship and mating has been observed only in arboreus. The male produces short trills during courtship, and after the spermatophore tube has been inserted and the still-coupled pair has turned end-to-end, the male produces a five- to 20-minute song. No other cricket is known to sing while coupled.