This work began with 12 months of field work in Australia between June 1968 & June 1969. During approx. 46,000 miles of travel the authors obtained data at 905 different localities, & visited all of the major Australian collections. Material in the European museums was examined on the return trip to the U.S. & many types were borrowed later. The National Insect Collection at Canberra subsequently sent their entire collection of crickets for further study & the Univ. of Queensland sent a major part of their collection. This work includes 492 species of which 376 are new. These species are arranged in 85 genera of which 41 are new. Fourteen previously published names are synonymized & 17 names are treated as ¿nomina dubia.¿ Illustrations.

Cricket song is a sound of the Australian bush. Even in cities, the rasping calls signify Australia’s remarkable cricket biodiversity. Crickets are notable for a variety of reasons. When their population booms, some of these species become agricultural pests and destroy crop pastures. Some introduced species are of biosecurity concern. Other crickets are important food sources for native birds, reptiles and mammals, as well as domestic pets. Soon you might even put them in your cake or stir-fry, as there is a rapidly growing industry for cricket products for human consumption. Featuring keys, distribution maps, illustrations and detailed colour photographs from CSIRO’s Australian National Insect Collection, A Guide to Crickets of Australia allows readers to reliably identify all 92 described genera and many species from the Grylloidea (true crickets) and Gryllotalpoidea (mole crickets and ant crickets) superfamilies. Not included are the Raspy Crickets (Gryllacrididae), King Crickets (Anostostomatidae) or the so-called ‘Pygmy Mole Crickets’ (Caelifera), which despite their common names are not related to true crickets. Natural history enthusiasts and professionals will find this an essential guide.

This text provides complete coverage of the classification, biology and ecology of Australian orthopteroid insects. It discusses identifying features, collecting techniques, culture methods and preservation techniques. It also includes sounds from over 130 species.