Sia ferox
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2012) |
| Sia ferox | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | S. ferox
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sia ferox Geibel, 1861
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Anostostoma couloni Saussure, 1862 | |
Sia ferox (also known as Riokku (リオック, loanword from the Indonesian name) or Obakekorogisu (オバケコロギス, "Obake raspy cricket") in Japan) is a species of cricket that lives in Indonesia. It belongs to the family Stenopelmatidae and the genus Sia.[1]
Appearance
The length is 65–80 millimetres (2.6–3.1 in). Although its basic form is similar to other Stenopelmatoidea, it is somewhat elongated. Its body color is brown. The female has a rudimentary ovipositor, unlike true Gryllacrididae or Anostostomatidae species. It is similar to the Jerusalem cricket, but it is the only species of Stenopelmatidae that lives in Indonesia. Sia ferox is a predatory cricket. Occasionally, as with many other carnivorous arthropods, the female may prey on the male after mating. It has been known to hunt spiders. They are more powerful than katydids, mantids, and even tiger beetles. They are able to kill any of these carnivorous insects.
Ecology
The species is nocturnal. It also preys on other insects found in the bottom of the rainforest. Like other Stenopelmatidae species, Sia ferox usually hides in its burrow during the day. At night, it comes out from its burrow and searches for prey like mantids, crickets and grasshoppers. The detailed ecology of S. ferox is not known due to insufficient research.
