Gryllus (Gryllus) Gryllus campestris Linnaeus, 1758

Figure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Material examined.

Pakistan, Sindh Prov. • 2♂, 6♀; Riffat; 12 Jul. 2019; Chachro 25.1156°N, 70.2557°E , 10♂, 23♀; Riffat, Surriya; 17 Jul. 2019; Umerkot 25.3549°N, 69.7376°E , 3♀; Riffat; 18 Aug. 2019; Nara 34.6851°N, 135.8048°E , 7♂, 12♀; Surriya, Riffat; 27 Aug. 2019; Nagarparkar 24.3572°N, 70.7555°E , 8♂, 15♀; Riffat, Surriya; 8 Jul. 2019; Tharparkar 24.8777°N, 70.2408°E , 4♂, 7♀; Surriya, Riffat; 3 Sep. 2020; Islamkot 24.7014°N, 70.1783°E .

Description.

A large species, rather similar to G. (Gryllus) bimaculatus, but more rounded and curved (Fig. 1F). Head yellowish brown with patches and raised veins (Fig. 2F). Pronotum convex above, blackish brown with fine greyish pubescent; posterior margin sinuated; elytra extending to the apex of the abdomen (Fig. 4F), legs blackish testaceous with brown spots, pubescent. Posterior femora rather short and thick; posterior tibia armed with six spines on each margin (unfortunately broken of during photography). Abdomen brown, ovipositor long, slender with narrow, very acute apical valves (Fig. 1F).

Female: LH 4.6 (mm), LP 4.9 (mm), LT 18 (mm), LF 15, LT 13, TBL 29 (mm).

Ecology.

Tritium aestivum (wheat), Oryza sativa (rice), Sacharum officinarium (sugarcane), Echinochloa colona (cultivated field) are all affected by this pest. It seems rare in numbers, and not widely occurring like other species of Gryllidae . These specimens were collected from rice fields whereas other plants such as sugarcane and wheat were also present, but with minor damage.

Global distribution.

Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, Pakistan (Cigliano et al. 2020).

Remarks.

Due to its rare status and sporadic nature G. (G.) campestris is included in the red lists Hochkirch et al. (2007). It is flightless in its habitat of dune, short grasses, chalky soil, and light sandy porous soils. During our field survey we collected material from different districts. Our examination demonstrates that this species has morphological similarity to G. (Gryllus) bimaculatus but few differences in wing pattern and head morphology identifies each species.