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 5 of 9 - image sightings only

Lichenomphalia chromacea (Yellow Navel) at Cook, ACT - 6 May 2020 by drakes
Simosyrphus grandicornis (Common hover fly) at Cook, ACT - 5 May 2020 by CathB
Symphypleona sp. (order) (Globular springtail) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Caliscelidae (family) (Caliscelid planthopper) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Daerlac nigricans (Ant Mimicking Seedbug) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Leptogaster sp. (genus) (Robber fly) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Storosa obscura (Dark Storosa) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Salticidae sp. 'Golden palps' (Unidentified jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Platypezidae sp. (family) (Unidentified platypezid fly) at Cook, ACT - 3 May 2020 by CathB
Philobota (genus) (Unidentified Philobota genus moths) at Cook, ACT - 3 May 2020 by CathB
Tinea undescribed species (A fungus moth) at Cook, ACT - 3 May 2020 by CathB
Ceromitia leptosticta (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 3 May 2020 by CathB
Ceromitia (genus) (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 28 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ramaria sp. (A Coral fungus) at Cook, ACT - 28 Apr 2020 by Tammy
Jalmenus icilius (Amethyst Hairstreak) at Cook, ACT - 28 Apr 2020 by Tammy
Tephritidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Fruit or Seed fly) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2020 by CathB
Phryganeutis cinerea (Chezala Group moth) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2020 by CathB
Helina sp. (genus) (Muscid fly) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2020 by CathB
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2020 by CathB
Arawa sp. (genus) (Leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ceromitia leptosticta (A Fairy moth) at Cook, ACT - 27 Apr 2020 by CathB
Chorista australis (Autumn scorpion fly) at Cook, ACT - 23 Apr 2020 by CathB
Chauliognathus tricolor (Tricolor soldier beetle) at Cook, ACT - 23 Apr 2020 by CathB
Nuliodon fishburni (Fishburn's Prowling Coastal Hunter) at Cook, ACT - 23 Apr 2020 by CathB
Leptogaster sp. (genus) (Robber fly) at Cook, ACT - 7 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ditropidus sp. (genus) (Leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 27 Mar 2020 by CathB
Stenosmylus stenopterus (An Osmylid Lacewing) at Cook, ACT - 22 Mar 2020 by CathB
Zonopetala decisana (Zonopetala decisana) at Cook, ACT - 20 Mar 2020 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 19 Mar 2020 by CathB
Polyclonus atratus (A sawfly) at Cook, ACT - 8 Mar 2020 by CathB
Diphucrania acuducta (Acuducta jewel beetle) at Cook, ACT - 6 Feb 2020 by CathB
Cymbacha ocellata (Crab spider) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2020 by CathB
Tiliqua rugosa (Shingleback Lizard) at Cook, ACT - 20 Jan 2020 by CathB
Tiphiidae (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Cook, ACT - 6 Jan 2020 by CathB
Cerdistus sp. (genus) (Yellow Slender Robber Fly) at Cook, ACT - 6 Jan 2020 by CathB
Siphanta sp. (genus) (Green planthopper, Torpedo bug) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by CathB
Macrotona australis (Common Macrotona Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 4 Dec 2019 by CathB
Goniaea carinata (Black kneed gumleaf grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 1 Dec 2019 by CathB
Euophryinae sp. (Mr Stripey) undescribed (Mr Stripey) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by CathB
Euryopis umbilicata (Striped tick spider) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by CathB
Nanodectes harpax (Small shield-back katydid) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by CathB
Chalcididae (family) (Unidentified chalcid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by CathB
Stenocotis depressa (Leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by CathB
Rutilia (Chrysorutilia) formosa (A Bristle fly) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2019 by CathB
Runcinia acuminata (Pointy Crab Spider) at Cook, ACT - 10 Nov 2019 by CathB
Lomandra filiformis subsp. filiformis (Wattle Matrush) at Cook, ACT - 30 Oct 2019 by CathB
Dicranolaius villosus (Melyrid flower beetle) at Cook, ACT - 29 Oct 2019 by CathB
Oxysarcodexia varia (Striped Dung Fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2019 by CathB
Hippodamia variegata (Spotted Amber Ladybird) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2019 by CathB
Coryphistes ruricola (Bark-mimicking Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2019 by CathB
Lehtinelagia prasina (Leek-green flower spider) at Cook, ACT - 24 Oct 2019 by CathB
Dasytinae (subfamily) (Soft-winged flower beetle) at Cook, ACT - 22 Oct 2019 by CathB
Austrotephritis sp. (genus) (Fruit fly or Seed fly) at Cook, ACT - 22 Oct 2019 by CathB
Tiliqua rugosa (Shingleback Lizard) at Cook, ACT - 7 Oct 2019 by CathB
Melophorus perthensis (Field furnace ant) at Cook, ACT - 4 Oct 2019 by CathB
Maratus chrysomelas (Variable Peacock Spider) at Cook, ACT - 4 Oct 2019 by CathB
Maratus chrysomelas (Variable Peacock Spider) at Cook, ACT - 3 Oct 2019 by CathB
Mantispidae (family) (Unidentified mantisfly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Oct 2019 by CathB
Tettigoniidae (family) (Unidentified katydid) at Cook, ACT - 20 Sep 2019 by CathB
Tetrigidae (family) (Pygmy grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 20 Sep 2019 by CathB
Argoctenus sp. (genus) (Wandering ghost spider) at Cook, ACT - 20 Sep 2019 by CathB
Philagra sp. (genus) (A spittlebug) at Cook, ACT - 20 Sep 2019 by CathB
Goniaea sp. (genus) (A gumleaf grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 14 Sep 2019 by CathB
Araneus albotriangulus (White-triangle orb weaver) at Cook, ACT - 14 Sep 2019 by CathB
Tasmanicosa sp. (genus) (Unidentified Tasmanicosa wolf spider) at Cook, ACT - 14 Sep 2019 by CathB
Goniaea opomaloides (Mimetic Gumleaf Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 14 Sep 2019 by CathB
Servaea incana (Hoary Servaea) at Cook, ACT - 3 Sep 2019 by CathB
Larinia sp. (genus) (Larinia orb weaver) at Cook, ACT - 31 Aug 2019 by CathB
Myrmarachne luctuosa (Polyrachis Ant Mimic Spider) at Cook, ACT - 30 Aug 2019 by CathB
Miturga sp. (genus) (Unidentified False wolf spider) at Cook, ACT - 21 Aug 2019 by CathB
Omoedus marginatus (Tiny Ant-eating Jumper) at Cook, ACT - 18 Aug 2019 by CathB
Myrmecia sp. (genus) (Bull ant or Jack Jumper) at Cook, ACT - 12 Aug 2019 by CathB
Phryganoporus candidus (Foliage-webbing social spider) at Cook, ACT - 14 Jun 2019 by CathB
Crambidae sp. (family) (A crambid snout mouth) at Cook, ACT - 7 Jun 2019 by CathB
Crematogaster sp. (genus) (Acrobat ant, Cocktail ant) at Cook, ACT - 7 Jun 2019 by CathB
Tapeigaster sp. (genus) (Fungus fly, Heteromyzid fly) at Cook, ACT - 7 Jun 2019 by CathB
Celaenia excavata (Bird-dropping spider) at Cook, ACT - 6 Jun 2019 by CathB
Tinea undescribed species (A fungus moth) at Cook, ACT - 16 May 2019 by CathB
Tinea undescribed species (A fungus moth) at Cook, ACT - 9 May 2019 by CathB
Milichiidae (family) (Freeloader fly) at Cook, ACT - 30 Apr 2019 by CathB
Metopochetus compressus (Stilt fly) at Cook, ACT - 30 Apr 2019 by CathB
Lycosidae (family) (Unidentified wolf spider) at Cook, ACT - 3 Apr 2019 by CathB
Aleucosia sp. (genus) (Bee Fly) at Cook, ACT - 2 Apr 2019 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 2 Apr 2019 by CathB
Maratus chrysomelas (Variable Peacock Spider) at Cook, ACT - 2 Apr 2019 by CathB
Ptilogyna sp. (genus) (A crane fly) at Cook, ACT - 29 Mar 2019 by CathB
Termitoidae (informal group) (Unidentified termite) at Cook, ACT - 29 Mar 2019 by CathB
Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Tufted Tyrant Ant) at Cook, ACT - 29 Mar 2019 by CathB
Ancistrotilla sp. (genus) (Mutillid wasp or velvet ant) at Cook, ACT - 29 Mar 2019 by CathB
Lycosidae (family) (Unidentified wolf spider) at Cook, ACT - 26 Mar 2019 by CathB
Cerdistus sp. (genus) (Yellow Slender Robber Fly) at Cook, ACT - 25 Mar 2019 by CathB
Rutilia (Donovanius) sp. (genus & subgenus) (A Bristle Fly) at Cook, ACT - 25 Mar 2019 by CathB
Tettigoniidae (family) (Unidentified katydid) at Cook, ACT - 24 Mar 2019 by CathB
Calperum ottei (A recently described pygmy cricket) at Cook, ACT - 23 Mar 2019 by CathB
Leptogaster sp. (genus) (Robber fly) at Cook, ACT - 23 Mar 2019 by CathB
Chalcididae (family) (Unidentified chalcid wasp) at Cook, ACT - 18 Mar 2019 by CathB
Ichneumonidae (family) (Unidentified ichneumon wasp) at Cook, ACT - 15 Mar 2019 by CathB
Tiphiidae (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Cook, ACT - 22 Feb 2019 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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