View source for Oecanthus dulcisonans

{{short description|Species of cricket}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Oecanthus dulcisonans 2013 08 17 RiuBillittu Sardinia.jpg
| image_caption = ''O. dulcisonans'', male
| genus = Oecanthus
| species = dulcisonans
| authority = [[Andrey V. Gorochov|Gorochov]], 1993
}}
'''''Oecanthus dulcisonans''''' is a species of [[cricket (insect)|cricket]] sparsely but widely distributed in the [[Mediterranean Basin]] and in the [[Middle East]].
==Distribution and habitat==
The species can be found in several [[Tyrrhenian Sea|Thyrrhenian]] coastal regions of [[Italy]], as well as in [[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]]. ''O. dulcisonans'' was originally reported from Saudi Arabia and is present also in the [[Canary Islands]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Massa|first1=Bruno|last2=Fontana|first2=Paolo|last3=Buzzetti|first3=Filippo M.|last4=Kleukers|first4=Roy|title=Fauna d'Italia Vol. XLVIII - Orthoptera|publisher=Calderini|year=2012|isbn=978-88-506-5408-6|location=Milan, Italy|pages=377–378}}</ref>
In the Mediterranean area, its range overlaps that of its [[congener (biology)|congener]] ''O. pellucens''. According to some studies, ''O. dulcisonans'' sings preferentially from trees while ''O. pellucens'' seems to prefer high grass such as the vegetation growing along the small streams.
This thermophilic and heliophilic species is not particularly demanding, and can be found both in wet and in xeric environments.
==Description==
The adult males grow up to {{convert|13|-|15|mm}} long, while females reach {{convert|14|-|16|mm}}. The overall color is yellowish. Long forewings cover entirely the abdomen, hind wings are decidedly longer. It can be distinguished from ''O. pellucens'' by its bigger size, by the different shape of the sternal plate, and by the male genitalia. The morphological differences were investigated by Cordero et al. <ref>{{cite journal | title = Recognizing taxonomic units in the field—The case of the crickets ''Oecanthus dulcisonans'' Gorochov 1993, and ''O. Pellucens'' (Scopoli, 1763) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae): Implications for their distribution and conservation in Southern Europe | year = 2009 | last1 = Cordero | first1 = Pedro J. | last2 = Llorente | first2 = Vicenta | last3 = Cordero | first3 = PAU | last4 = Ortego | first4 = Joaquín | journal = Zootaxa | volume = 2284 | pages = 63–68 | doi = 10.11646/zootaxa.2284.1.5 }}</ref>
Its namesake song is among the most useful characters to recognize ''O. dulcisonans'' form ''O. pellucens'': the strong and melodious trill of the former is continuous, as opposed to the equal, discrete 0.5sec - 1sec trills of ''O. pellucens''. Furthermore, peak frequency by ''O. dulcisonans'' is slightly higher. Both species are difficult to locate by the unaided ear: the insect can vary the elevation of the forewings making difficult to identify the provenance of the sound, reverberated by the high grass or by the reeds.
==Biology==
''O. dulcisonans'' is omnivorous but mainly zoophagous, and is more active at night. Adults appear in July / August and their song can be heard until early autumn. Eggs are deposed into the stem of various herbaceous plants.
Its shape and color make captures difficult, but it can be attracted to artificial light.
This species is most probably underrecorded due to its elusiveness and its similarity with ''O. pellucens''.
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200" heights="160">
Oecanthus dulcisonans 2013 08 17 RiuBillittu Sardinia.jpg|A specimen collected in Fluminimaggiore, Sardinia on 17 August 2013
</gallery>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Bibliography==
* Brizio, C. & Buzzetti F.M. 2014. [http://www.biodiversityjournal.com/pdf/5(1)_25-38.pdf Biodiversity Journal, 2014, 5 (1): 25–38] >> Ultrasound recordings of some Orthoptera from Sardinia (Italy)
* Gorochov [Ed.]. 1993. Fauna of Saudi Arabia 13:90 – urn:lsid:Orthoptera.speciesfile.org:TaxonName:26112
* Ingrisch. 1999.  Esperiana 7:352 >> Orthopteroid insects of Yemen –
* Schmidt G.H. & Herrmann M., 2000. Boll. Soc. Sarda Sci. Nat.,32: 83-128. >> Occurrence and distribution of Orthopteroidea, Blattoptera, Mantodea, Phasmodea and Dermaptera in Sardinia/Italy.
==External links==
*{{Wikispecies inline}}
*{{Commons inline}}
* [http://www.cesarebrizio.it/BIOAC_ORTH/Oecanthus_dulcisonans.htm Page with an audio sample of ''Oecanthus dulcisonans'']
{{Taxonbar | from=Q10607194}}
[[Category:Insects described in 1993]]
[[Category:Oecanthus|dulcisonans]]
[[Category:Orthoptera of Europe]]