Necrophagy in crickets, katydids and grasshoppers? Orthoptera collected in carrion-baitedtraps in central Spain
2013
Martín-Vega, Daniel | Aguirre-Segura, Antonio | Barranco, Pablo | Baz, Arturo | Cifrián, Blanca
Summary Although crickets, katydids and grasshoppers (order Orthoptera) are generally considered archetypical examples of herbivory, cumulative evidence shows that they are actually omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of organic matter, including carrion. The present study compiles the collections of 30 Orthoptera species, from both suborders, Ensifera and Caelifera, with the use of carrion-baited traps in different natural habitats of central Spain. Higher numbers of females than males were observed, as well as higher numbers of adults than nymphs. The main part of the captures corresponded to the omnivorous cricket Nemobius sylvestris (Bosc). Possible explanations for necrophagous behaviour in Orthoptera and the observed sex-related differences are discussed.
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