About Anabrus simplex Haldeman, 1852
Description: Mormon crickets, scientifically Anabrus simplex Haldeman, 1852, can grow to almost 8 cm (3 inches) in length. Individual coloration varies widely: overall body color may be black, brown, red, purple or green. The pronotum, a dorsal "shield" that sits above the prothorax, covers the species' vestigial wings; some specimens have colored markings on this structure. The abdomen may show a striped pattern. Like many members of the family Tettigoniidae, females have a long ovipositor, which should not be mistaken for a stinger. A characteristic trait of Tettigoniidae seen in this species is long, filamentous antennae. These antennae are generally longer than the combined length of the head and body, though the ovipositor extends further than the tips of the antennae. Similar to swarming locusts, high population densities of swarming Mormon crickets trigger changes in morphology and coloration between two phases. Solitary-phase individuals, called solitaria, typically have green or purple coloration, while swarming gregaria-phase individuals are often black, brown or red. Life cycle: Most Mormon cricket eggs hatch in the spring after they are laid, but in some areas eggs may take up to five years to hatch. Hatching starts when soil temperatures reach 4 °C (40 °F). Nymphs go through seven instars before reaching the adult stage, a process that typically takes 60 to 90 days. Breeding begins 10 to 14 days after individuals reach the adult stage. Males transfer a large spermatophore to females that can make up 27% of the male's total body weight. The spermatophore acts mostly as a food source for the female to consume, while also containing sperm to fertilize her eggs. This nuptial gift leads swarming-phase females to compete for males, a behavior that is not observed in solitary-phase females. Females lay their eggs by inserting their long ovipositor deep into soil. Each female can lay more than one hundred eggs. Individual eggs look similar to a grain of rice, and range in color from gray to purplish.
