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Brachytrupes megacephalus

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Brachytrupes megacephalus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Family: Gryllidae
Genus: Brachytrupes
Species:
B. megacephalus
Binomial name
Brachytrupes megacephalus
(Lefèvre, 1827)
Synonyms
  • Brachytrypes megacephalus (Lefebvre, 1827)
  • Gryllus megacephalus Lefebvre, 1827

Brachytrupes megacephalus is a species of cricket in the family Gryllidae.[1][2]

Description and behavior

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Brachytrupes megacephalus can reach a length of about 40 millimetres (1.6 in). This species is characterized by a very large head (hence the species name megacephalus) and strong jaws. The tibia of the front and rear legs are armed with big teeth which facilitate the action of digging the deep holes in sandy soils in which these crickets live. These insects have crepuscular and nocturnal habits. The mating period extends from mid-March to the end of April. After mating, the males keep the females captive in their holes until they lay their eggs.[3][4][5]

Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefèvre, 1827) photographed on 24 Apr 2018 at Capo Pecora (Sardinia)

Distribution and habitat

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This species can be found in sandy environments in Sardinia, Sicily, Malta and North Africa.[6] [7]

Brachytrupes megacephalus photographed at Capo Pecora (Sardinia)

Bibliography

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References

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  1. ^ Biolib
  2. ^ Orthoptera Species
  3. ^ Entomologi Italiani
  4. ^ Serville A., 1838. Histoire naturelle des insectes. Orthoptères p. 326
  5. ^ Petralia A., Russo C., Cartarrasa S., 2003. TOPOLOGY OF BRACHYTRUPES MEGACEPHALUS (LEFEBVRE, 1827) (ORTHOPTERA, GRYLLIDAE) IN SOME SICILIAN NATURAL RESERVES
  6. ^ Fauna europaea
  7. ^ Erminia Conti Eco-ethology of Brachytrupes megacephalus (Orthoptera, Gryllidae), protected species in UE