Thomas J. Walker

Specialist

professor emeritus, insect ecology, behavior and systematics, Department of Entomology and Nematology

Publications

House Cricket, Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides a comprehensive profile of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus. It covers the cricket's distribution, life cycle, identification, habitat, and song. The article highlights the cricket's role as bait for fish and food for pets, its inability to survive in the wild in peninsular Florida, and its rearing methods. It also discusses management strategies for house crickets that escape into homes. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Published: January 1999.

Tropical House Cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus (F. Walker)

Thomas J. Walker

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides a detailed profile of the tropical house cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus. It covers the cricket's distribution, life cycle, identification, habitat, and song. The article highlights the cricket's presence in urban areas, its unique calling song, and its occasional indoor occurrences. It also discusses management strategies for controlling cricket populations in buildings. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Original publication date January 1999.

Field Crickets, Gryllus spp. (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides a detailed profile of field crickets, Gryllus spp., found in Florida. It covers their distribution, identification, life cycle, habitat, and songs. The article highlights the importance of calling songs for species recognition and the role of field crickets in studies of behavior and neurophysiology. It also discusses wing dimorphism and the economic impact of field crickets, noting their occasional nuisance in suburban areas. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Published: January 1999.

Sand Field Cricket, Gryllus firmus Scudder (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides a detailed profile of the sand field cricket, Gryllus firmus. It covers the cricket's distribution, identification, life cycle, habitat, and song. The article highlights the cricket's chirping song, its variable life cycle, and its presence in lawns, pastures, and roadsides throughout Florida. It also discusses the cricket's role in hybridization with other species and its economic impact. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Published: January 1999.

Southeastern Field Cricket, Gryllus rubens Scudder (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides a comprehensive profile of the southeastern field cricket, Gryllus rubens. It covers the cricket's distribution, identification, life cycle, habitat, and song. The article highlights the cricket's unique trilling song, its presence in lawns, roadsides, and pastures, and its abundance in spring and fall. It also discusses the cricket's role in hybridization with other species and its economic impact. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Published: January 1999.

Texas Field Cricket, Gryllus texensis Cade and Otte (Insecta: Orthoptea: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides a detailed profile of the Texas field cricket, Gryllus texensis. It covers the cricket's distribution, identification, life cycle, habitat, and song. The article highlights the cricket's occurrence in western Florida, its unique trilling song, and its attraction to light. It also discusses the cricket's role in hybridization with other species and its economic impact. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection, aimed at both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences. Published: January 1999.

Jamaican Field Cricket, Gryllus assimilis (Fabricius) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

Southern Wood Cricket, Gryllus fultoni (Alexander) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Thomas J. Walker
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides an in-depth profile of the southern wood cricket, Gryllus fultoni, detailing its distribution, identification, life cycle, habitat, and song. Found throughout the southeastern US, this cricket is distinguished by its unique forewing patterns and stridulatory file. It overwinters as a juvenile and matures in spring, inhabiting various forest types. The calling song consists of fast-pulsed chirps. The article includes figures and references for further study, making it a valuable resource for both laypersons and academic audiences interested in entomology. Published: January 1999.

Taciturn Wood Cricket, Gryllus ovisopis (T. Walker) (Insecta: Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

T. J. Walker

This document provides an in-depth profile of the taciturn wood cricket, Gryllus ovisopis, notable for its lack of a calling song. Found throughout the southeastern coastal plain, this species is distinguished by its darker forewings and non-functional hindwings. The life cycle includes overwintering as eggs, hatching in April, and maturing synchronously in September. Adults inhabit moist broadleaf and loblolly pine woodlands. Despite the absence of calling songs, males produce fight and courtship songs using specialized forewings. The document is part of the Featured Creatures collection by UF/IFAS Extension. Published: January 1999.

thumbnail for publication: Cicadas (of Florida), Neocicada hieroglyphica (Say), Tibicen, Diceroprocta and Cicadetta spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Cicadas (of Florida), Neocicada hieroglyphica (Say), Tibicen, Diceroprocta and Cicadetta spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Thomas J. Walker and Thomas E. Moore

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Cloudless Sulphur Phoebis sennae (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Coliadinae)

Donald W. Hall, Thomas J. Walker, andMarc C. Minno
Other Contacts: Elena M. Rhodes

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences. This document provides an in-depth profile of the cloudless sulphur butterfly, Phoebis sennae, focusing on its distribution, physical characteristics, life cycle, migration patterns, host plants, and natural enemies. The butterfly is widespread in the southern United States and migrates seasonally. Detailed descriptions of its various life stages, including eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults, are provided. The document also discusses the butterfly's interactions with host plants and predators, emphasizing its ecological significance and the factors affecting its population dynamics. Original publication date April 2012.