Seasonal Abundance, Sex Ratio, and Macroptery of Field Crickets1 in Northern Florida2

Abstract
A total of 7911 adults of 3 species of field crickets, Gryllus rubens Scudder, G. firmus Scudder, and G. ovisopis Walker, were collected during 4.5 yr in pitfall traps in fields at Tall Timbers Research Station near Tallahassee, FL. Gryllus rubens adults were trapped throughout the year with peak numbers in July, August, and September (n=4978) and with a 2nd, smaller peak in March, April, and May (n=236). Those collected during the spring peak were 10% macropterous and 33% male, while those collected during the summer peak were 32% macropterous and 42% male. No macropterous G. rubens were taken between Oct. 25 and March 16. Adults of G. firmus were trapped between Feb. 22 and Dec. 20 with peak numbers in June and July (n=1052) and again in September, October, and early November (n=1358). During the summer peak, 15% of the G. firmus were macropterous and 45% were male. During the fall peak, 3% were macropterous and 52% were male. Adult G. ovisopis were taken between Aug. 25 and Nov. 22 (n=249). All were micropterous and 72% were male. Seasonal patterns of macroptery and sex ratio differed among the 3 species.