This tree cricket has smooth legs and belongs to the Smooth-Legged Tree Cricket genus (Neoxabea). They are just short of 1 inch (25 mm) long. The specimens in these photos are females, showing two dark spots on her back, reflecting the common name. The male uses an interesting method to amplify his calling. He chews a hole in a leaf, straddles the hole with his forelegs and covers the opening with his wings. Males look like the females but do not have the dark spots on the back. They fold their wings like the females.
This tree cricket is found in eastern North America. It is probably common in this area although it is seldom seen because it live high in trees. They are known to be active during August and September in our area.
This tree cricket is presumed to feed on plants including grapevine, maple and apple. Males sing mostly at night: a 10-second trill followed by several seconds of silence, then a trill again. After mating, male hangs downward from foliage, allowing female to hang on beneath and dine on secretions from his thorax
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.