Insect · GBIF taxon 1720949
Snowy Tree Cricket
Oecanthus fultoniAlso known as Thermometer Cricket, Snowy Cricket
Snowy tree crickets are pale, translucent green insects famous for their rhythmic chirping, which varies directly with ambient air temperature. By counting the number of chirps in 13 seconds and adding 40, a listener can calculate the surrounding temperature in Fahrenheit. Active in broadleaf tree canopies and shrubbery from late summer into autumn, males sing in synchronized harmony across entire night landscapes.
NocturnalChirpingInsects
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Aphids
- Scale insects
- Foliage
Predators
- Birds
- Bats
- Spiders
ThreatsPesticide spraying, habitat fragmentation, heavy light pollution
HabitatsDeciduous forests, orchards, suburban yards, shrubby fields
Life span1 year (adults live 1–2 months)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyGryllidae
- GenusOecanthus
- SpeciesOecanthus fultoni
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Temperature Estimation: Count chirps in 13 seconds and add 40 to determine local Fahrenheit temperature.
- Night Observation: Use a flashlight with a red filter to search broadleaf shrub foliage without silencing calling males.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Thompson Hyggen · cc0
Close Relative (c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zihao Wang · cc-by
Distant Relative (c) Declan McCabe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Declan McCabe · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Snowy Tree Cricket is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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