Tree crickets undergo five molts. The first stage generally occurs within a few days of life. From emergence to adulthood generally takes 6 weeks. This tiny Forbes’ tree cricket is leaving the embryo stage and beginning the ermergence phase as a 1st instar nymph. These nymphs are only 3mm long. It continues wriggling to release itself from the egg within the stem. With its little limbs free, it has more tools to get out of the stem. Finally free! This little nymph is less than one hour old, but already scampering around. This 3mm long tree cricket ‘newborn’ is trying out his antennae for the first time. This little tree cricket is less than 15 minutes old. It still has the fluid-filled bump on the top of its head. After 2 hours, it will no longer have the bump. I could find no term for this fluid collection…but it reminds me of the caput succedaneum that is present on newborn human heads. I have created the term ‘caput fluidum’ for this temporary structure. It is so transparent that you can the eye on the other side of its head. The pale color of this Narrow-winged young nymph blends in wellwith the veins on this grape leaf. This is a 1st or 2nd instar of Two-spotted tree cricket. You can just barely see tiny little wing buds on the 3rd instar of Two-spotted tree cricket. This is a 4th instar of Two-spotted tree cricket. Note that the wing sacs are very visible but do not extend halfway down the abdomen. This is a 5th instar female of Two-spotted tree cricket. Note that the wings extend at least halfway down the abdomen. Her wing sacs are very swollen, indicating she will soon molt into adulthood. We know it is a female because … Continue reading Life Stages