Orthoptera of North Carolina
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View Gryllidae Members: NC Records

Myrmecophilus pergandei Bruner, 1884 - Eastern Ant Cricket

Taxonomy
Family: Gryllidae Subfamily: Myrmecophilinae Tribe: MyrmecophiliniSynonym: Myrmecophila pergandei
Comments: One of five species in this world-wide genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Cigliano et al., 2018). Only pergandei is widespread in the East, including North Carolina.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Capineira et al. (2004)Online Photographs: SINA, BugGuide, Discover Life, Google Images,  iNaturalist, GBIFTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Blatchley (1920)SINA 394a.htm                                                                                  
Comments: Among our smallest Orthopterans, a minute, wingless, brown cricket found in ant nests.
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 3-4.3 mm,males; 4-5 mm, females (Blatchley, 1920)
Structural Features: The body is ovoid, flattened, and truncated in appearance, somewhat similar to a pillbug but with longer appendages. The hind femora are greatly swollen; the cerci are as long and project obliquely out from the body.
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Adult Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Found in the nests of a variety of ants
Diet: Feeds on ant secretions but may also scavenge
Observation Methods: Found by turning over rocks or digging up ant nests
Abundance/Frequency: We currently have too few records to estimate either its frequency of occurrence or population density
Adult Phenology: Blatchley (1920) reported observation from March to December, but with large individuals -- presumably adults -- occurring late in the year
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S3S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: Probably occurs across most of the state and in association with a number of different species of ants; probably secure within the state

Image Gallery for Myrmecophilus pergandei - Eastern Ant Cricket

Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: