Diet

• Gryllus is a genus of field crickets that are generally omnivorous and opportunistic feeders.

• They consume grasses, leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers and other plant material, along with fungi, carrion and small insects or other invertebrates.

• Fallen vegetation and other decaying organic matter can form an important part of the diet.

Range

• Gryllus is a widespread genus of field crickets occurring throughout much of the world, with particularly high diversity in the Americas.

• Numerous species occur in Mexico, including species associated with the Pacific coast and western Mexico.

• Gryllus occurs in the Zihuatanejo region, where field crickets are associated with warm grassland, scrub, gardens, agricultural areas and forest margins.

Habitat

• Gryllus species are primarily ground-dwelling and occur in grasslands, open woodland, scrub, agricultural areas, gardens and forest edges.

• They commonly shelter in shallow burrows, beneath stones and logs, among leaf litter or in cracks in the soil.

• In Zihuatanejo, suitable habitat includes tropical dry forest margins, grassy clearings, roadside vegetation, gardens and other open areas with ground cover.

• Many species are predominantly nocturnal, emerging after dark to forage and for males to produce their characteristic calling songs.

• Burrows and other ground-level shelters provide protection from daytime heat and predators, which is particularly important in the seasonally dry environment around Zihuatanejo.

Description

• Gryllus species are medium-sized, robust field crickets with large heads, long thread-like antennae and powerful hind legs.

• Adults are commonly brown, dark brown or blackish, with colour and markings varying among species.

• The pronotum is broad and shield-like, while the abdomen is usually covered by relatively short to moderately long forewings.

• Males have specialized forewings containing a stridulatory apparatus that produces the familiar cricket song by rubbing the wings together.

• Females have a conspicuous, straight or slightly curved ovipositor at the end of the abdomen.

• Nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and lack fully developed wings.