Calperum ottei

3 A recently described pygmy cricket at Cook, ACT

Calperum ottei at Cook, ACT - 14 Mar 2018
Calperum ottei at Cook, ACT - 14 Mar 2018
Calperum ottei at Cook, ACT - 14 Mar 2018
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Identification history

Calperum ottei 4 Mar 2019 MichaelMulvaney
Bobilla sp. (genus) 18 Mar 2018 RogerF
Bobilla sp. (genus) 18 Mar 2018 CathB

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Significant sighting

MichaelMulvaney noted:

4 Mar 2019

First record of this genus of Pygmy Cricket in the Canberra area, an undescribed possibly new species

6 comments

Youning wrote:
   22 Nov 2018
Calperum sp.
jgl wrote:
   5 Mar 2019
Youning Su is the Orthoptera scientist at the Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Canberra. He is currently publishing an Australian cricket field guide (in-press) with retired CSIRO scientist David Rentz. This specimen (genus) should be marked as a significant sighting: until very recently, the genus Calperum was known only from Calperum station just north of Renmark, South Australia, and from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Very recently, a specimen was found near Round Hill, NSW (just north of Wagga Wagga). Finding this genus in Canberra is astonishing given its proximity to the Australian National Insect Collection, which has been sampling the Canberra insect fauna for nearly a century. After seeing this record Youning Su managed to collect a specimens, and established that these crickets were not active after 8 AM (but perhaps were active through the night). This unusual activity, apparently restricted to the early morning, is perhaps why they have never been recorded in the ACT.
RogerF wrote:
   5 Mar 2019
Indeed a great find, congratulations to Cath. Such small crickets are often overlooked and are good at avoiding cameras and close-ups. Was this specimen in grassland or woodland?
AaronClausen wrote:
   5 Mar 2019
Well done Cath you legend.
jgl wrote:
   5 Mar 2019
Original description: Rentz, D.C.F. & Su, Y.N. 1996. New apterous Pygmy Crickets from Australia with notes on their habitats and re-evaluation of characters defining the Australian genera (Gryllidae: Nemobgiinae). Journal of Orthoptera Research 5: 185-198

Yet to be determined if its the same species
CathB wrote:
   5 Mar 2019
Thanks everyone. It was found very close to a fairly sharp boundary between woodland and grassland, but on the woodland side. This particular area was excluded from a prescribed burn in 2014.
When I checked my original photos, I discovered a second one taken at the time which is possibly slightly clearer. I will try to add it now.

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Nearby sightings

Page 6 of 9 - image sightings only

Diphucrania sp. (genus) (Jewel Beetle) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jan 2019 by CathB
Cerdistus sp. (genus) (Yellow Slender Robber Fly) at Cook, ACT - 27 Dec 2018 by CathB
Diphucrania sp. (genus) (Jewel Beetle) at Cook, ACT - 27 Dec 2018 by CathB
Wahlenbergia luteola (Yellowish Bluebell) at Cook, ACT - 5 Dec 2018 by CathB
Jalmenus icilius (Amethyst Hairstreak) at Cook, ACT - 5 Dec 2018 by CathB
Helea ovata (Pie-dish beetle) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2018 by CathB
Agrypnus sp. (genus) (Rough click beetle) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2018 by CathB
Arrade destituta (Arrade destituta) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2018 by CathB
Destolmia lineata (Streaked Notodontid Moth) at Cook, ACT - 12 Nov 2018 by CathB
Philobota impletella Group (A concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 11 Nov 2018 by CathB
Cymbacha ocellata (Crab spider) at Cook, ACT - 11 Nov 2018 by CathB
Camponotus suffusus (Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 11 Nov 2018 by CathB
Salticidae sp. 'Golden palps' (Unidentified jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 11 Nov 2018 by CathB
Homotrysis cisteloides (Darkling beetle) at Cook, ACT - 11 Nov 2018 by CathB
Chalcididae (family) (Unidentified chalcid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 9 Nov 2018 by CathB
Trichophthalma laetilinea (Tangled Vein Fly) at Cook, ACT - 15 Oct 2018 by michelle.nairn
Brachyloma daphnoides (Daphne Heath) at Cook, ACT - 15 Oct 2018 by michelle.nairn
Philemon corniculatus (Noisy Friarbird) at Cook, ACT - 2 Oct 2018 by Alison Milton
Anthochaera carunculata (Red Wattlebird) at Cook, ACT - 2 Oct 2018 by Alison Milton
Cryptandra amara (Bitter Cryptandra) at Cook, ACT - 26 Sep 2018 by michelle.nairn
Camponotus sp. (genus) (A sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 24 Sep 2018 by CathB
Iridomyrmex sp. (genus) (Ant) at Cook, ACT - 12 Sep 2018 by CathB
Euryopis sp. (genus) (An ant eating spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 26 Aug 2018 by CathB
Tamopsis sp. (genus) (Two-tailed spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 26 Aug 2018 by CathB
Camponotus sp. (genus) (A sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 25 Jun 2018 by CathB
Monomachus antipodalis (A parasitic wasp) at Cook, ACT - 12 Jun 2018 by CathB
Boreoides subulatus (Wingless Soldier Fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Apr 2018 by CathB
Metopochetus compressus (Stilt fly) at Cook, ACT - 26 Apr 2018 by CathB
Platystomatidae (family) (Unidentified signal fly) at Cook, ACT - 26 Apr 2018 by CathB
Ceromitia leptosticta (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 26 Apr 2018 by CathB
Iridomyrmex sp. (genus) (Ant) at Cook, ACT - 24 Apr 2018 by CathB
Simaethula sp. (genus) (A jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 21 Apr 2018 by CathB
Chorista australis (Autumn scorpion fly) at Cook, ACT - 20 Apr 2018 by CathB
Ommatoiulus moreleti (Portuguese Millipede) at Cook, ACT - 20 Apr 2018 by CathB
Orthodera ministralis (Green Mantid) at Cook, ACT - 20 Apr 2018 by CathB
Cryptes baccatus (Wattle Tick Scale) at Cook, ACT - 20 Apr 2018 by CathB
Cychramptodes murrayi (Wattle tick scale predator) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2018 by CathB
Ceromitia leptosticta (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2018 by CathB
Coryphistes ruricola (Bark-mimicking Grasshopper) at Belconnen, ACT - 18 Apr 2018 by CathB
Pisauridae (family) (Water spider) at Cook, ACT - 13 Apr 2018 by CathB
Casbia pallens (Pale Casbia) at Cook, ACT - 5 Apr 2018 by CathB
Orgyia anartoides (Painted Apple Moth) at Cook, ACT - 5 Apr 2018 by CathB
Pompilidae (family) (Unidentified Spider wasp) at Cook, ACT - 5 Apr 2018 by CathB
Theridiidae (family) (Comb-footed spider) at Cook, ACT - 5 Apr 2018 by CathB
Hednota bivittella (Webworm) at Belconnen, ACT - 23 Mar 2018 by CathB
Cryptachaea veruculata (Diamondback comb-footed spider) at Cook, ACT - 22 Mar 2018 by CathB
Trachydora capnopa (A Cosmet moth) at Cook, ACT - 22 Mar 2018 by CathB
Tiphiidae (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Cook, ACT - 22 Mar 2018 by CathB
Teleogryllus commodus (Black Field Cricket) at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Mar 2018 by CathB
Euproctis marginalis (Euproctis marginalis) at Cook, ACT - 13 Mar 2018 by CathB
Phoracantha recurva (Yellow Phoracantha borer) at Cook, ACT - 13 Mar 2018 by CathB
Hemerobiidae sp. (family) (Unidentified brown lacewing) at Cook, ACT - 12 Mar 2018 by CathB
Psychanisa (genus) (A case moth) at Cook, ACT - 9 Mar 2018 by CathB
Mantispidae (family) (Unidentified mantisfly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Mar 2018 by CathB
Myrmarachne sp. (genus) (Unidentified Ant-mimic jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 9 Mar 2018 by CathB
Crabroninae (subfamily) (Unidentified solitary wasp) at Cook, ACT - 5 Mar 2018 by CathB
Spectrotrota fimbrialis (A Pyralid moth) at Cook, ACT - 5 Mar 2018 by CathB
Stenocotis depressa (Leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 5 Mar 2018 by CathB
Cebysa leucotelus (Australian Bagmoth) at Cook, ACT - 5 Mar 2018 by CathB
Myrmarachne luctuosa (Polyrachis Ant Mimic Spider) at Cook, ACT - 5 Mar 2018 by CathB
Myrmecia piliventris (Golden tail bull ant) at Cook, ACT - 5 Mar 2018 by CathB
Tettigoniidae (family) (Unidentified katydid) at Cook, ACT - 3 Mar 2018 by CathB
Caedicia simplex (Common Garden Katydid) at Cook, ACT - 3 Mar 2018 by CathB
Isopeda sp. (genus) (Huntsman Spider) at Cook, ACT - 3 Mar 2018 by CathB
Myrmarachne luctuosa (Polyrachis Ant Mimic Spider) at Cook, ACT - 3 Mar 2018 by CathB
Rhipicera (Agathorhipis) femorata (Feather-horned beetle) at Cook, ACT - 3 Mar 2018 by CathB
Hortophora sp. (genus) (Garden orb weaver) at Cook, ACT - 26 Feb 2018 by CathB
Servaea sp. (genus) (Unidentified Servaea jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 26 Feb 2018 by CathB
Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 26 Feb 2018 by CathB
Phaulacridium vittatum (Wingless Grasshopper) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Jan 2018 by CathB
Praxibulus sp. (genus) (A grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 8 Jan 2018 by CathB
Hyalarcta huebneri (Leafy Case Moth) at Cook, ACT - 21 Dec 2017 by CathB
Orobanche minor (Broomrape) at Cook, ACT - 13 Nov 2017 by JasonC
Grevillea alpina (Mountain Grevillea / Cat's Claws Grevillea) at Cook, ACT - 29 Oct 2017 by CathB
Hibbertia obtusifolia (Grey Guinea-flower) at Belconnen, ACT - 25 Oct 2017 by CathB
Xerochrysum viscosum (Sticky Everlasting) at Cook, ACT - 24 Oct 2017 by CathB
Gaudium multicaule (Teatree) at Cook, ACT - 24 Oct 2017 by CathB
Philobota undescribed species near arabella (A concealer moth) at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Oct 2017 by CathB
Leptorhynchos squamatus (Scaly Buttons) at Belconnen, ACT - 9 Oct 2017 by CathB
Oxyopes sp. (genus) (Lynx spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 9 Oct 2017 by CathB
Galium gaudichaudii subsp. gaudichaudii (Rough Bedstraw) at Cook, ACT - 6 Oct 2017 by CathB
Dillwynia sericea (Egg And Bacon Peas) at Cook, ACT - 6 Oct 2017 by CathB
Wurmbea dioica subsp. dioica (Early Nancy) at Belconnen, ACT - 28 Sep 2017 by CathB
Psychidae (family) IMMATURE (Unidentified case moth or bagworm) at Belconnen, ACT - 26 Sep 2017 by CathB
Cymbonotus sp. (preissianus or lawsonianus) (Bears Ears) at Belconnen, ACT - 21 Sep 2017 by CathB
Pleuridium sp. at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2017 by CathB
Clematis leptophylla (Small-leaf Clematis, Old Man's Beard) at Cook, ACT - 21 Aug 2017 by CathB
Melichrus urceolatus (Urn Heath) at Belconnen, ACT - 21 Aug 2017 by CathB
Acacia gunnii (Ploughshare Wattle) at Belconnen, ACT - 21 Aug 2017 by CathB
Cryptandra amara (Bitter Cryptandra) at Belconnen, ACT - 21 Aug 2017 by CathB
Hovea heterophylla (Common Hovea) at Belconnen, ACT - 21 Aug 2017 by CathB
Grimmia sp. (A moss) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Aug 2017 by CathB
Lepidosperma laterale (Variable Sword Sedge) at Belconnen, ACT - 27 Mar 2017 by CathB
Jalmenus icilius (Amethyst Hairstreak) at Cook, ACT - 26 Mar 2017 by EmilyS
Argiope trifasciata (Banded orb weaver) at Belconnen, ACT - 27 Feb 2017 by CathB
Persicaria prostrata (Creeping Knotweed) at Belconnen, ACT - 25 Feb 2017 by CathB
Chrysolopus spectabilis (Botany Bay Weevil) at Belconnen, ACT - 25 Feb 2017 by CathB
Amegilla sp. (genus) (Blue Banded Bee) at Belconnen, ACT - 25 Feb 2017 by CathB
Phaulacridium vittatum (Wingless Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 12 Feb 2017 by CathB
Argiope protensa (Long-tailed Argiope) at Cook, ACT - 12 Feb 2017 by CathB

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Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 14 Mar 2018 07:55 AM Recorded on
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