Hump-winged grigs are
insect
Insects (from Latin ') are pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body ( head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs ...
s belonging to the genus ''Cyphoderris'', in the family
Prophalangopsidae
The family Prophalangopsidae are insects belonging to the order Orthoptera. They are the only extant members of the superfamily Hagloidea. There is only one extant genus in North America, where they are known as grigs, four genera in Asia, an ...
, and superfamily
Grylloidea (
crickets). In modern times they are known only in northwestern North America and central Asia, but the fossil record indicates a wider distribution in the past.
There are three species in North America:
*''
Cyphoderris buckelli
''Cyphoderris buckelli'', or Buckell's grig, is a species of hump-winged cricket in the family Prophalangopsidae
The family Prophalangopsidae are insects belonging to the order Orthoptera. They are the only extant members of the superfamily ...
'' - Buckell's grig
*''
Cyphoderris monstrosa'' - Great grig
*''
Cyphoderris strepitans'' - Sagebrush grig
Hump-winged grigs are known for their unique mating habits.
Males call at night by sitting on a tree trunk with their head down and emitting a short, high-pitched trill.
When a female mounts the male, the male uses two hooks on its back to hold onto the underside of the female's abdomen while transfering
spermatophore
A spermatophore or sperm ampulla is a capsule or mass containing spermatozoa created by males of various animal species, especially salamanders and arthropods, and transferred in entirety to the female's ovipore during reproduction. Spermatophores ...
.
During copulation, the female eats the male's hind wings and drinks the male's blood for energy,
causing permanent but nonfatal damage to the male.
Hungry females are more likely to mate, will mount males sooner, and are less selective when choosing mating partners.
"Virgin" males, with no hind wing damage, are generally more successful at mating than non-virgin males.
References
Ensifera
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