Gryllus

Gryllus Species in this genus often look similar to species from other genera. They can often only be distinguished by the male genitalia. The epithallus typically consists of three lobes, the middle one being longer and more slender than the rest, in American and European species. African species, however, show more variability, making it more difficult to assign species to a genus with the same degree of certainty as there is more overlap with closely related genera.

Contents hide

1) Classification of Gryllus

2) Habit and habitat

3) Distribution

4) Comments on Gryllus

5) Economic Status

6) Identification

Classification of Gryllus

Phylum – Arthropoda (Jointed Appendages)

Class – Insecta (3 pairs of legs.)

Sub-class – Pterygota (Winged insects.)

Division – Exopterygota (Wings develop externally.)

Order – Orthoptera (Straight wings.)

Genus – Gryllus

Habit and habitat

Gryllus is commonly found during rainy seasons under walls and crevices in kitchens. It is omnivorous

Distribution

It is found in India, Srilanka, Myanmar, Asia, Europe, U.K., U.S.A. and Canada.

Comments on Gryllus

Commonly called as cricket.
It is a solitary insect differing from locust and grasshopper in having longer antennae.
It betrays its presence by the familiar, monotonous and intensely shrill chirping.
The male cricket chirps by rubbing its front wings together during courtship.
Body is divisible into head, thorax and abdomen.
Head has eyes and antennae.
Thorax contains wings and 3 pairs of walking legs.
Last abdominal segment contains a pair of anal cerci.
Wings are exopterygotes.
Female has a long ovipositor, which serves for depositing the eggs in soil.

Economic Status

Harmful insect. It destroys clothing, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Identification

Since the specimen contains long antennae and all above characters hence it is Gryllus.

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