Revision of the Oecanthinae (Gryllidae: Orthoptera) of America South of the United States

Abstract

Thirty-one species of Oecanthinae occur in America south of the United States. Of the 11 species of Neoxabea, 9 are known only from South America; the other 2 are found in both the United States and Mexico. Seven of the 20 species of Oecanthus are known only from South America, 2 range from northern South America into the U.S., 3 are restricted to Central America and Mexico, 7 occur in Mexico and the U.S. but not in South America, and 1 is known only from the West Indies. Features of the pretarsal claws and wing venation separate Neoxabea and Oecanthus, and features of the male metanotum and the cerci are useful in distinguishing the species of Neoxabea. The calling songs of O. allardi T. Walker and Gurney, O. varicornis F. Walker, and O. immaculatus Bruner are characterized from audiospectrographic analysis. New species described are Neoxabeaastales, N.enodis,N.femorata,N.lepta,N.quadrula,Oecanthuscomma,O.major,O.nanus, and O.prolatus. Keys are given to the 2 genera and to the species of each occurring in the Neotropical region.