Diet

• Paroecanthidi is a supertribe of small to medium-sized Neotropical crickets within the subfamily Tafaliscinae.

• Feeding habits are poorly documented across the group, but members are generally expected to be opportunistic feeders on plant material, seeds, fungi, decaying vegetation and small organic or animal matter.

• In the Zihuatanejo region, fallen vegetation, leaf litter, fungi and other organic material provide potential food resources.

Range

• Paroecanthidi is primarily Neotropical, with its distribution extending from southern Mexico and southern Florida through Central America and into South America.

• Its distribution includes Mexico, making the group relevant to the cricket fauna of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

• Paroecanthidi species are primarily associated with terrestrial vegetation and other sheltered habitats in tropical and subtropical environments.

• Members may occur among grasses, shrubs, forest vegetation, leaf litter and ground debris.

• Some species are associated with humid forest habitats, while others occupy more open or seasonally dry environments.

• In Zihuatanejo, suitable habitats include tropical dry forest, forest edges, scrub, gardens, dense ground vegetation and areas with accumulated leaf litter.

• The group is predominantly nocturnal, and males of many species use acoustic signals to attract females.

Description

• Paroecanthidi consists of relatively small to medium-sized crickets, generally with a somewhat flattened body.

• The forewings may be fully developed, shortened or absent depending on the lineage, providing considerable variation in wing form within the supertribe.

• Where forewings are developed, males possess specialized stridulatory structures used to produce calling songs.