Two new additions to the crickets of Kerala found

Researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab at Christ College in Irinjalakuda have discovered two new species of tree crickets in Kerala for the first time. Oecanthus indicus and Oecanthus henryi were found in Thrissur and Palakkad districts by Thasnim E. S., Dr. Bijoy C., and Dr. Dhaneesh Bhaskar. This discovery marks the first time the genus Oecanthus has been reported in the state. These tree crickets are known for adjusting their chirping rate with temperature, making them valuable “thermometer crickets”. The research was funded by the University Grants Commission and published in the journal ‘Munis Entomology and Zoology’.