About Natula averni (Costa, 1855)
Natula averni (Costa, 1855) is a small cricket species with the following characteristics. Adult males of this species reach a body length of 4.1–4.3 millimetres (0.16–0.17 in), while adult females grow to 4.5–5 millimetres (0.18–0.20 in). Their overall body color is yellowish. The forewings fully cover the abdomen, and the hind wings are much longer than the forewings. Males produce a harmonious trill song that can be heard from April through late summer. The song is disproportionately loud for such a small cricket, and this makes locating the singing individual very difficult. This species has been recorded in multiple coastal regions of Italy, primarily along the Thyrrhenian coast, as well as in Sardinia and Sicily. It has also been found in Corsica, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, and Turkey. The taxonomic status of Natula averni remains controversial. While its current recognized range includes southern Europe and Turkey, it may be a synonym of Natula longipennis. If this synonymy is correct, its actual range would extend to Africa and Asia. It is also possible that Natula averni is a species complex made up of multiple separate species, even within southern Europe.
