Say's Trig
Anaxipha exigua
Identification 4
Face has stripes on the cheeks (between the eyes and mouth) that form a "V" when viewed from the front. A longitudinal stripe on the outer face of the femur is a useful character, but A. tinnulenta also has a similar stripe (A. vernalis does not have the stripe). This stripe is useful to help exclude Nemobiinae (Ground Crickets), however. If still in doubt, keys separating Anaxipha from Nemobiinae use the character that Trigs have hairy and flat lower surface on the second tarsal segment of their feet. Body length ~6-8 mm.
Say's Trig is the expected Trig species in all of Iowa. A. tinnulenta (Slow-Tinkling Trig) has been reported from southeast Iowa. A. tinnulenta is typically identified by song. A. vernalis may occur in far southeast Iowa, but to date has not been reported. Adults of A. vernalis appear in the spring.
Resources 4
Key to separate Trigs from other crickets: https://orthsoc.org/sina/k340k3.htm
Walker, T.J. and Funk, D.H., 2014. Systematics and acoustics of North American Anaxipha (Gryllidae: Trigonidiinae). Journal of Orthoptera Research, pp.1-38. Linked here: https://orthsoc.org/sina/g610a.htm
Blatchley, W. S. 1920. Orthoptera of Northeastern America: With Especial Reference to the Faunas of Indiana and Florida. Nature Publishing Company, Indianapolis, IN. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/1700
Occurrence 4
Statewide. BugGuide and iNaturalist records have extended the known range of this species northward. It is not clear if this species is extending its range northward or if the range was poorly known.
Habitat 4
Occurs on vegetation from ground level to approximately eye level, usually in partial shade. Can be difficult to see or catch as it moves nimbly through the vegetation. Never found on the ground like Nemobiinae.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Wil Hershberger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Wil Hershberger
- (c) JodBot, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by JodBot
- (c) Claire O'Neill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Claire O'Neill
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
