Phyllopalpus pulchellus

Phyllopalpus pulchellus, known generally as the red headed bush cricket, handsome trig or handsome bush cricket, is a species of winged bush cricket in the family Trigonidiidae.^[1][2][3] It is found in the eastern United States.^[1][4][5]

Phyllopalpus pulchellus
Handsome trig female. (Lateral view)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Orthoptera
Suborder:	Ensifera
Family:	Trigonidiidae
Tribe:	Phylloscyrtini
Genus:	Phyllopalpus
Species:	P. pulchellus
Binomial name
Phyllopalpus pulchellus Uhler, 1864

Description

The adult has a red head and thorax. Its abodomen and wings are black. Its legs are translucent green to pale yellow. The forewings of females are convex and beetle-like, and the male's wings look like that of a typical cricket's. The male's left wing is clear. The average length of Phyllopalpus pulchellus is 7–9mm.^[4][6]

Its song sounds like a rattling trill. It is described as being quite loud.^[7]

Geographic range

P. pulchellus is found in eastern United States. It can be found as north as New Hampshire and as far south as northern Florida. Its range goes as far west as Houston, Texas.

Reproduction

The males position their bodies in between a curved leaf or two leaves to amplify the sound of their chirps to find a mate.^[6]

During courtship, males first provide females a nuptial gift before transferring a larger spermatophore. If the female does not accept the nuptial gift, the male will eat it.^[8]

The females deposit their eggs in the trunks of trees.^[6]

Phyllopalus pulchellus underneath a leaf.

Diet

P. pulchellus eats flowers, leaves, smaller insects, and insect eggs. It is an omnivorous species.^[6]