The Biology, Nymphal Stages, and Life Habits of the Endemic Sand Dune Cricket Schizodactylus inexpectatus (Werner, 1901) (Orthoptera: Schizodactylidae)

The biology, nymphal stages, and life habits of the endemic dune cricket Schizodactylus inexpectatus (Werner, 1901) (Orthoptera: Schizodactylidae) were investigated in this study carried out between 2000 and 2007 in the Çukurova delta (Adana province) and in Alata (Mersin province), Turkey. The study showed that S. inexpectatus, which is a nocturnal insect, passes through 9 nymphal stages, each characterised by its own body size. The present study showed that certain properties of burrows, such as their depths, do not depend on either adult or immature stages of the insect. Food preferences of cannibalistic species of S. inexpectatus were also investigated under field conditions. S. inexpectatus is at risk of extinction and therefore the establishment of conservation programmes aimed at preserving sand dunes, which serve as the only natural habitat of this species, is advised.