Gryllodes sigillatus (Walker)

(Fig. 1)

Variously called the tropical or Indian house cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus is also a cosmopolitan species, and we have found it sold in both USA and European pet food stores. This species is easily distinguished from A. domesticus by its song, shorter tegmina and hind wings, longer cerci, and greater agility and ability to jump. In contrast to A. domesticus, populations are almost unknown from natural habitats (DBW & DAG, unpublished) and are always associated with human structures. This cricket species is easier to culture than A. domesticus (Scott Sakaluk, pers. comm. to DBW, January, 2012).