Preliminary studies on morphology and distribution of field crickets (Gryllinae) from district Jacobabad, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Field crickets were collected from agricultural fields and the surrounding vegetation of district Jacobabad through traditional insect nets and by hand picking. The collected specimens were 321, which were sorted out into single sub-family Gryllinae falling into 05 genera and 07 species, i.e. Gryllodes sigillatus (Walker, 1869), Gryllodes supplicans (Walker, 1859), Gryllus bimaculatus (De-Geer, 1773), Acheta burdigalensis (Latreille, 1804), Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), Gryllopsis histrio (Saussure, 1877) and Teleogryllus commodus (Walker, 1869). The maximum population of Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) was 36%, and Gryllodes supplicans (Walker, 1859) was 24%. While the minimum population of Gryllopsis histrio (Saussure, 1877) was 3%, and Acheta burdigalensis (Latreille, 1804) was 5%, respectively. Additionally, a detailed description of species and distribution is provided. Finding field crickets from this area will be instrumental for the farmers and researchers concerned with the biodiversity of this group.