The antennal markings of White Sands tree cricket (Oecanthus beameri) are highly variable. Some individuals have no markings, some have 2, some 3, others 4 and even 5.
White Sands tree cricket resembles the coloring of Four-spotted tree cricket, but note the difference in size. The White Sands male is on the left in this photo, and the Four-spotted male is on the right. Also, the White Sands tree cricket has a paler color…probably to blend in with the white sand of the gypsum dunes where they are found, and the pastel leaves of the hoary rosemary mint plant they commonly inhabit.
This adult male Oecanthus beameri (White Sands tree cricket) was brought indoors to capture video of him singing. Normally he would be on vegetation completely pale pastel green, and would blend in making it difficult to find him in the wild. Note how his head and limbs look almost white. You can hear the tone difference from a Four-spotted male singing in a separate vase.
This species was named Oecanthus beameri after Raymond H. Beamer from the University of Kansas, who collected specimens in the White Sands area in 1932. His specimens were examined 87 years later in the collection at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two specimens were in the drawer of Oecanthus quadripunctatus (Four-spotted tree cricket), but a difference in size and color were noted.
