Calperum ottei

3 A recently described pygmy cricket at Belconnen, ACT

Calperum ottei at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Mar 2018
Calperum ottei at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Mar 2018
Calperum ottei at Belconnen, 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

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 1 of 9 - image sightings only

Mnesampela comarcha (Dry-leaf Gum Moth) at Mount Painter - 14 Mar 2024 by CathB
Parasynthemis regina (Royal Tigertail) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Acroaspis sp. (genus) (Twig Spider) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Tasmanicosa sp. (genus) (Unidentified Tasmanicosa wolf spider) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Oxyopes sp. (genus) (Lynx spider) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Lasiosticha canilinea (A Pyralid moth) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Idaea philocosma (Flecked Wave) at Mount Painter - 6 Mar 2024 by CathB
Austrotephritis sp. (genus) (Fruit fly or Seed fly) at Mount Painter - 2 Mar 2024 by CathB
Praxibulus sp. (genus) (A grasshopper) at Mount Painter - 29 Feb 2024 by CathB
Gryllacrididae sp. (family) (Wood, Raspy or Leaf Rolling Cricket) at Mount Painter - 29 Feb 2024 by CathB
Utetheisa pulchelloides (Heliotrope Moth) at Mount Painter - 29 Feb 2024 by CathB
Pseudoperga sp. (genus) (Sawfly, Spitfire) at Mount Painter - 28 Feb 2024 by CathB
Pollanisus (genus) (A Forester Moth) at Mount Painter - 16 Feb 2024 by CathB
Scoliacma nana (Diminutive Footman) at Mount Painter - 12 Feb 2024 by CathB
Ectomocoris patricius (Ground assassin bug) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Castiarina scalaris (Scalaris jewel beetle) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Nemophora (genus) (A Fairy Moth) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Phlaeothripidae sp. (family) (A thrip) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Aglaopus pyrrhata (Leaf Moth) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Lepus capensis (Brown Hare) at Mount Painter - 20 Jan 2024 by CathB
Opodiphthera eucalypti (Emperor Gum Moth) at Mount Painter - 12 Jan 2024 by CathB
Eupoecila australasiae (Fiddler Beetle) at Mount Painter - 11 Jan 2024 by CathB
Gelechioidea (superfamily) (Unidentified Gelechioid moth) at Mount Painter - 2 Jan 2024 by CathB
Praxibulus sp. (genus) (A grasshopper) at Mount Painter - 2 Jan 2024 by CathB
Conocephalomima barameda (False Meadow Katydid, Barameda) at Mount Painter - 2 Jan 2024 by CathB
Pollanisus lithopastus (A Forester Moth) at Mount Painter - 1 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Trapezites luteus (Yellow Ochre, Rare White-spot Skipper) at Mount Painter - 1 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Zizina otis (Common Grass-Blue) at Mount Painter - 1 Dec 2023 by Tammy
Eublemma inconspicua (Inconspicuous Eublemma) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Oct 2023 by CathB
Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher) at Belconnen, ACT - 30 Oct 2023 by CathB
Spilonota constrictana (A Tortricid moth) at Mount Painter - 8 Oct 2023 by CathB
Myrmecia sp., pilosula-group (Jack jumper) at Mount Painter - 8 Oct 2023 by CathB
Lauxaniidae (family) (Unidentified lauxaniid fly) at Mount Painter - 8 Oct 2023 by CathB
Dillwynia sericea (Egg And Bacon Peas) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Oct 2023 by CathB
Trapezites phigalia (Heath Ochre) at Belconnen, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Scopula optivata (Varied Wave) at Belconnen, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 29 Sep 2023 by CathB
Plutella (genus) (Plutella Moths) at Belconnen, ACT - 17 Sep 2023 by CathB
Eupolemus angularis (Acanthosomatid bug) at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Belconnen, ACT - 14 Sep 2023 by CathB
Chalcidoidea (superfamily) (A gall wasp or Chalcid wasp) at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2023 by CathB
Empididae sp. (family) (Dance fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2023 by CathB
Melobasis obscurella (Obscurella jewel beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 10 Sep 2023 by CathB
Mnesampela lenaea (Rippled Gum Moth) at Belconnen, ACT - 9 Sep 2023 by CathB
Elateridae sp. (family) (Unidentified click beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 8 Sep 2023 by CathB
Melobasis thoracica (A jewel beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Habronestes bradleyi (Bradley's Ant-Eating Spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Belconnen, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Calliphoridae (family) (Unidentified blowfly) at Cook, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Parasphecodes) sp. (genus & subgenus) (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 7 Sep 2023 by CathB
Myrmarachne sp. (genus) (Unidentified Ant-mimic jumping spider) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Camponotus nigroaeneus (Sugar ant) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Acacia decurrens (Green Wattle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Ditropidus sp. (genus) (Leaf beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Acacia boormanii (Snowy River Wattle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Sarothrocrepis civica (An arboreal 'ground' beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Trigonidium (Balamara) albovittatum (Handsome trig) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Trigonidium australiana (Leaf running cricket) at Belconnen, ACT - 3 Sep 2023 by CathB
Microtropesa sp. (genus) (Tachinid fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Aug 2023 by CathB
Syrphini sp. (tribe) (Unidentified syrphine hover fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Aug 2023 by CathB
Empididae sp. (family) (Dance fly) at Belconnen, ACT - 31 Aug 2023 by CathB
Socca pustulosa (Knobbled Orbweaver) at Belconnen, ACT - 25 Aug 2023 by CathB
Scopula optivata (Varied Wave) at Belconnen, ACT - 8 Aug 2023 by CathB
Ceromitia leptosticta (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 15 May 2023 by CathB
Merophyas divulsana (Lucerne Leafroller) at Cook, ACT - 10 May 2023 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 10 May 2023 by CathB
Vespula germanica (European wasp) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2023 by CathB
Scopula (genus) (A wave moth) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Scopula rubraria (Reddish Wave, Plantain Moth) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Trigonospila sp. (genus) (A Bristle Fly) at Cook, ACT - 25 Apr 2023 by CathB
Chalcididae (family) (Unidentified chalcid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 21 Apr 2023 by CathB
Haplonyx sp. (genus) (Unidentified Haplonyx weevil) at Cook, ACT - 3 Apr 2023 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Rivellia sp. (genus) (Signal fly) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Chorista australis (Autumn scorpion fly) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Phaulacridium vittatum (Wingless Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Plectobela undescribed species (A concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Anthicinae (subfamily) (Ant-like flower beetles, ant-like beetles) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2023 by CathB
Bobilla aff. victoriae at Mount Painter - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Nacoleia rhoeoalis (Spilomelinae) at Cook, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Balta spuria (A Balta Cockroach) at Cook, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Chorista australis (Autumn scorpion fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Mar 2023 by CathB
Argyrodes sp. (genus) (Dew-drop spider) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by CathB
Cebysa leucotelus (Australian Bagmoth) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by CathB
Poneridia macdonaldi (Leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by CathB
Oedosmylus tasmaniensis (Lacewing) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by CathB
Ledromorpha planirostris (A leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2023 by CathB
Paropsis atomaria (Eucalyptus leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 23 Feb 2023 by CathB
Macrobathra (genus) (A cosmet moth) at Cook, ACT - 19 Feb 2023 by CathB
Conocephalus upoluensis (Meadow Katydid) at Cook, ACT - 19 Feb 2023 by CathB
Opodiphthera eucalypti (Emperor Gum Moth) at Cook, ACT - 14 Feb 2023 by CathB
Suhpalacsa sp. (genus) (Owlfly) at Cook, ACT - 29 Jan 2023 by CathB
Platyptilia celidotus (Plume Moth) at Cook, ACT - 29 Jan 2023 by CathB
Cymbacha ocellata (Crab spider) at Cook, ACT - 29 Jan 2023 by CathB
Jalmenus icilius (Amethyst Hairstreak) at Cook, ACT - 29 Jan 2023 by CathB
Obrida fascialis (One banded longicorn) at Cook, ACT - 29 Jan 2023 by CathB

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Location information

Sighting information

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

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