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 4 of 9 - image sightings only

Oxyopes sp. (genus) (Lynx spider) at Cook, ACT - 11 Dec 2020 by CathB
Melophorus perthensis (Field furnace ant) at Cook, ACT - 11 Dec 2020 by CathB
Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. squamatus (Scaly Buttons) at Cook, ACT - 6 Dec 2020 by drakes
Yoyetta timothyi (Brown Firetail Cicada) at Cook, ACT - 5 Dec 2020 by MattFox
Crepis capillaris (Smooth Hawksbeard) at Cook, ACT - 1 Dec 2020 by RWPurdie
Pimelea curviflora (Curved Rice-flower) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by drakes
Hypericum gramineum (Small St Johns Wort) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by drakes
Cerdistus sp. (genus) (Yellow Slender Robber Fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Nov 2020 by CathB
Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) lanarium (Halictid bee) at Cook, ACT - 28 Nov 2020 by CathB
Sonchus asper (Prickly Sowthistle) at Cook, ACT - 23 Nov 2020 by drakes
Dianella revoluta var. revoluta (Black-Anther Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 12 Nov 2020 by drakes
Indigofera australis subsp. australis (Australian Indigo) at Cook, ACT - 7 Nov 2020 by drakes
Chrysopilus sp. (genus) (A snipe fly) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Wahlenbergia multicaulis (Tadgell's Bluebell) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Thysanotus tuberosus subsp. tuberosus (Common Fringe-lily) at Cook, ACT - 4 Nov 2020 by CathB
Tolpis barbata (Yellow Hawkweed) at Cook, ACT - 3 Nov 2020 by drakes
Leptotarsus (Macromastix) costalis (Common Brown Crane Fly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Nov 2020 by CathB
Tiliqua rugosa (Shingleback Lizard) at Cook, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by drakes
Dillwynia sericea (Egg And Bacon Peas) at Cook, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by drakes
Scopodes sp. (genus) (Predaceous ground beetle) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020 by CathB
Vanessa itea (Yellow Admiral) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020 by CathB
Homotrysis cisteloides (Darkling beetle) at Cook, ACT - 27 Oct 2020 by CathB
Taxeotis intextata (Looper Moth, Grey Taxeotis) at Cook, ACT - 27 Oct 2020 by CathB
Crematogaster sp. (genus) (Acrobat ant, Cocktail ant) at Cook, ACT - 27 Oct 2020 by CathB
Carphurus sp. (genus) (Soft-winged flower beetle) at Cook, ACT - 27 Oct 2020 by CathB
Helicoverpa (genus) (A bollworm) at Cook, ACT - 21 Oct 2020 by Tammy
Harpobittacus australis (Hangingfly) at Cook, ACT - 21 Oct 2020 by Tammy
Bossiaea buxifolia (Matted Bossiaea) at Cook, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by drakes
Daviesia mimosoides subsp. mimosoides at Cook, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by drakes
Hibbertia obtusifolia (Grey Guinea-flower) at Cook, ACT - 15 Oct 2020 by drakes
Glycine clandestina (Twining Glycine) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by drakes
Acrotriche serrulata (Ground-berry) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by CathB
Linaria pelisseriana (Pelisser's Toadflax) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by CathB
Briza minor (Shivery Grass) at Cook, ACT - 14 Oct 2020 by CathB
Drosera auriculata (Tall Sundew) at Cook, ACT - 13 Oct 2020 by CathB
Belenois java (Caper White) at Cook, ACT - 9 Oct 2020 by CathB
Gelechioidea (superfamily) (Unidentified Gelechioid moth) at Cook, ACT - 7 Oct 2020 by CathB
Thereutis chionozyga at Cook, ACT - 7 Oct 2020 by CathB
Thysanotus patersonii (Twining Fringe Lily) at Cook, ACT - 7 Oct 2020 by CathB
Linaria pelisseriana (Pelisser's Toadflax) at Cook, ACT - 1 Oct 2020 by Tammy
Laccaria sp. (Laccaria) at Cook, ACT - 28 Sep 2020 by drakes
Polichne parvicauda (Short-tailed Polichne) at Cook, ACT - 23 Sep 2020 by tpreston
Nanodectes harpax (Small shield-back katydid) at Cook, ACT - 23 Sep 2020 by tpreston
Lichenomphalia chromacea (Yellow Navel) at Cook, ACT - 22 Sep 2020 by drakes
Grevillea alpina (Mountain Grevillea / Cat's Claws Grevillea) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Rumex acetosella (Sheep Sorrel) at Cook, ACT - 14 Sep 2020 by Tammy
Hovea heterophylla (Common Hovea) at Cook, ACT - 6 Sep 2020 by drakes
Wurmbea dioica subsp. dioica (Early Nancy) at Cook, ACT - 6 Sep 2020 by drakes
Empididae sp. (family) (Dance fly) at Cook, ACT - 6 Sep 2020 by CathB
Drosera sp. (A Sundew) at Cook, ACT - 6 Sep 2020 by CathB
Spathulina acroleuca (A seed fly) at Cook, ACT - 6 Sep 2020 by CathB
Hardenbergia violacea (False Sarsaparilla) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by drakes
Clematis leptophylla (Small-leaf Clematis, Old Man's Beard) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by dwise
Wurmbea dioica subsp. dioica (Early Nancy) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by dwise
Psychodidae sp. (family) (Moth Fly, Drain Fly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by CathB
Symphypleona sp. (order) (Globular springtail) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by CathB
Collembola sp. (class) (Springtail) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by CathB
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Cook, ACT - 2 Sep 2020 by CathB
Podomyrma gratiosa (Muscleman tree ant) at Cook, ACT - 1 Sep 2020 by CathB
Cacomantis pallidus (Pallid Cuckoo) at Cook, ACT - 1 Sep 2020 by Tammy
Pogona barbata (Eastern Bearded Dragon) at Cook, ACT - 31 Aug 2020 by Tammy
Apina callisto (Pasture Day Moth) at Cook, ACT - 30 Aug 2020 by Heino1
Phaeoceros sp. at Cook, ACT - 13 Aug 2020 by CathB
Collembola sp. (class) (Springtail) at Cook, ACT - 13 Aug 2020 by CathB
Stigmacros sp. (genus) (An Ant) at Cook, ACT - 13 Aug 2020 by CathB
Hypogastrura sp. (genus) (A Springtail) at Cook, ACT - 13 Aug 2020 by CathB
Lichenomphalia chromacea (Yellow Navel) at Cook, ACT - 13 Aug 2020 by dwise
Riccia sp. (genus) (Liverwort) at Cook, ACT - 4 Aug 2020 by CathB
Caloplaca sp. (Firedot Lichen) at Cook, ACT - 4 Aug 2020 by CathB
Lycosidae (family) (Unidentified wolf spider) at Cook, ACT - 30 Jul 2020 by Tammy
Melichrus urceolatus (Urn Heath) at Cook, ACT - 30 Jul 2020 by Tammy
zz agaric (stem; gills not white/cream) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jul 2020 by CathB
Riccia asprella (Pale Crystalwort) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jul 2020 by CathB
Riccia sp. (genus) (Liverwort) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jul 2020 by CathB
Triquetrella (A trailing moss) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jul 2020 by CathB
Lycosidae (family) (Unidentified wolf spider) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jul 2020 by CathB
Braconidae (family) (Unidentified braconid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jul 2020 by CathB
Juncus capitatus (Dwarf Rush) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jul 2020 by CathB
Phaeoceros sp. at Cook, ACT - 10 Jul 2020 by CathB
Inocybe 'serrata complex' at Cook, ACT - 28 Jun 2020 by Heino1
Phaeohelotium succineoguttulatum at Cook, ACT - 28 Jun 2020 by Heino1
Symphypleona sp. (order) (Globular springtail) at Cook, ACT - 24 Jun 2020 by CathB
Phaeohelotium succineoguttulatum at Cook, ACT - 24 Jun 2020 by CathB
Aleurina ferruginea (Fleshy Cup Fungus) at Cook, ACT - 24 Jun 2020 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 24 Jun 2020 by CathB
Myrmecorhynchus emeryi (Possum Ant) at Cook, ACT - 24 Jun 2020 by CathB
Psyllidae sp. (family) (Unidentified psyllid or lerp insect) at Cook, ACT - 24 Jun 2020 by CathB
Entosthodon sp. at Cook, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by CathB
Bethylidae (family) (Bethylid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 20 Jun 2020 by CathB
Anonychomyrma sp. (genus) (Black Cocktail Ant) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jun 2020 by CathB
Diplacodes bipunctata (Wandering Percher) at Cook, ACT - 6 Jun 2020 by Tammy
Ramaria capitata var. capitata (Pale cauliflower coral) at Cook, ACT - 28 May 2020 by drakes
Cracticus torquatus (Grey Butcherbird) at Cook, ACT - 19 May 2020 by Tammy
Mycetophilidae (family) (A fungus gnat) at Cook, ACT - 18 May 2020 by CathB
Braconidae (family) (Unidentified braconid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 17 May 2020 by CathB
Strepsicrates macropetana (Eucalyptus Leafroller) at Cook, ACT - 17 May 2020 by CathB
Metopochetus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Metopochetus stilt fly) at Cook, ACT - 17 May 2020 by CathB
Ardozyga undescribed species nr amblopis (A Gelechioid moth) at Cook, ACT - 17 May 2020 by CathB
Rhagionidae (family) (A snipe fly) at Cook, ACT - 11 May 2020 by Tammy
Bovista (A puffball) at Cook, ACT - 10 May 2020 by drakes

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Location information

Sighting information

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

Species information

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  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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