Orthoptera of North Carolina
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Neonemobius cubensis (Saussure, 1874) - Cuban Ground Cricket


Neonemobius cubensis
Macropterous female
Taxonomy
Family: Gryllidae Subfamily: Nemobiinae Tribe: Pteronemobiini
Comments: One of six species in this genus that occur in North America north of Mexico (Cigliano et al., 2017), three of which have been recorded in North Carolina
Species Status: The type specimen is from Cuba but this is a widespread species, occurring in eastern North America, the Caribbean, and eastern Meso-America (Cigliano et al., 2017)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Himmelman (2009)Online Photographs: SINA, BugGuide, Songs of Insects, Google Images,  iNaturalist, GBIFTechnical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Hebard (1913); Johnstone and Vickery (1970)SINA 537a.htm                                                                                  
Comments: Cubensis is a small, brownish-black ground cricket that is similar in general appearance and color to palustris but is not as solid in coloration, possessing patches of pale grayish-buff markings (Hebard, 1813; Johnstone and Vickery, 1970). The tegmina typically have a pale line that separates the dorsal and lateral fields.
Total Length [body plus wings; excludes ovipositor]: 5.7-6.6 mm, brachypterous males (Florida specimens); 5.6-7.0 mm, brachypterous females (Hebard, 1913)
Structural Features: Members of Neonemobius are distinguished by their small size -- males are less than 9 mm in body length. Females also possess short, upwardly curved ovipositors, less than or equal to 2/3 the length of the hind femur, and that have fine teeth only on the dorsal side of the tip (SINA, 2017). Both macropterous and brachypterous forms have been recorded in this species (Hebard, 1913)
Singing Behavior: Fulton (1931) describes the song of cubensis as a very high pitched, thin whistle. Each trill lasts from 8 to 15 seconds, occasionally up to 30, with similar length pauses between trills. Each trill starts soft and builds in amplitude, ending abruptly. According to SINA, the pulse rate ranges from 38 pulses per second at around 65 F up to 60 at temperatures above 80 F. The pitch of songs recorded in the Macaulay Library range from 6.9 to over 9.5 kHz. Allonemobius griseus has a similarly high pitched trill that also increases in amplitude. However, it has a slower pulse rate of only 30-40 pulses per second. The habitats of the two species also differ, with cubensis preferring marshes or other wet grassy areas and griseus preferring very dry upland fields.
Diagnostic Song Parameters:

Recording playback at normal speed.

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Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Neonemobius cubensis
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: Fulton (1931) states that cubensis is largely a marsh species, found at the edges of both freshwater and brackish marshes; also found along streams and other moist places with dense herbaceous cover
Diet: Probably omnivorous
Observation Methods: Most easily detected by its song. Long-winged individuals are also seen at moth sheets with 15 watt UV lights.
Abundance/Frequency:
Adult Phenology: In the vicinity of Raleigh, Fulton (1951) observed adults appearing by July 1 and persisting until the end of October
See also Habitat Account for General Wet Grasslands
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR SNR [S4S5]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands
Comments: This species appears to be widespread and occupies fairly common habitat types. It therefore seems to be secure within the state.

Image Gallery for Neonemobius cubensis - Cuban Ground Cricket

Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: David George
Chatham Co.
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Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
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Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Michael P. Morales
Cumberland Co.
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Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
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Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall and Savannah Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: 59 syllables per second @ 9.0 kHz
Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Scotland Co.
Comment: 60 syllables/sec at 8.1 kHz and ~80 F. Several males heard singing in the wet grassy vegetation along the lake shore. Southern and Fultons' Ground Crickets were singing at the same spot and Lesser Pine Katydids were heard in the adjoining Longleaf Pine woodlands.
Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
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Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall and Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
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Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall and Dee Stuckey
Orange Co.
Comment: 60 pulses/sec. @ 8.8 kHz and ~79 F; 19:50. Recorded from thick grass cover
Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall, Bo Sullivan, and Arno Schadt
New Hanover Co.
Comment: Pulse rate = 60 pulses per second at 8.7 kHz and roughly 75 degrees F. Several individuals calling from the edge of a marsh along the Cape Fear River. Note the increasing amplitude and abrupt end of the trills.
Neonemobius cubensis Recorded by: Steve Hall
Orange Co.
Comment: ~60 pulses/sec @ 8.5 kHz and about 85 F.; 15:20. Recorded while video-taping an Orchelimum pulchellum; in second-growth levee forest next to drainage canal.Recorded late in the year for this species, when both E. variegatus and palustrus are more numerous. However, the high pulse rate and habitat are more consistent with cubensis than the other two.