Trigonidium cicindeloides Rambur, 1838

Felix, Rob, Bouwman, Jaap, Odé, Baudewijn, Ketelaar, Robert, Pham, Duc Minh & Bailey, James, 2025, The grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera) of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen): a comprehensive overview and a description of a new Oecanthus Tree Cricket (Oecanthidae), Contributions to Entomology 75 (1), pp. 21-166 : 21-166

Trigonidium cicindeloides Rambur, 1838

Figs 180 , 181

References for Socotra.

Massa 2009: 53.

Diagnostic notes.

Trigonidium cicindeloides is an unmistakable little cricket with large eyes, a shiny black body and orange-brown hind legs and cerci (Fig. 180 ).

Distribution and occurrence.

It is a widespread species in Africa, southern Europe, Asia and Arabia. Massa (2009) recorded it on Socotra. The only records are from Zerig and Zemhom, south of the Hagher (Fig. 181 ). The presence is most certainly overlooked and the species is probably more widely distributed in suitable habitats.

Habitat and biology.

On Socotra, Trigonidium occurs in dense Juncus vegetations at 250–650 m a. s. l. (Fig. 6 ).

Figures

Figure 6. A dense stand of Juncus along a pool. Habitat of Aiolopus thalassinus, Paratettix subpustulatus, Trigonidium cicindeloides and Gryllotalpa aff. G. africana. It is also the habitat the long-lost Cataloipus brunneri. Zerig, Socotra, 27 Feb 2009 (photograph Rob Felix).

Figure 180. Trigonidium cicindeloides Rambur, 1838, female. Wadi Zerig, Socotra, 5 Nov 2010 (photograph Rob Felix).

Figure 181. Distribution of Trigonidium cicindeloides Rambur, 1838 in the Socotra Archipelago.