Carter Fang (31343130)

A General Inspection of Acheta domesticus

Acheta domesticus body is similar to that of a bees; it is comprised of two lustrous bulbous
segments. One segment is twice the length of the other with the larger body segment being located on
the posterior. Acheta domesticus head is ovular and narrows at the front. There are two solid black
compound eyes on either side of its head composed of thousands of smaller lenses under the surface
called ommatidia, which each have eight photoreceptor cells to process visual information (Tomioka et al.
1990). Having a greater number of eyes enables them to have vision of more directions as well as
enhanced resolution (Olsen 2002). Acheta domesticus awareness of its surroundings is also enhanced by
its long antennae, one above each eye, that are approximately the length of its body and are comprised of
200 segments, bearing 5 different types of sensory organs dedicated to collecting information pertaining
to smells, tastes and pressures within the environment (Charles et al. 2012). Below each eye there are also
short, bent segmented appendages called Palps which act as chemo- and mechanoreceptors for
examining objects (Ignell et al. 2000). Collectively, the head and body are approximately 20 mm in length.
Acheta domesticus has 6 multipurpose legs; four shorter legs are found attached to the middle body
segment; two on each side, while the two much larger, thicker and jointed hind legs are found on the
larger, posterior body segment. The thorn-like hairs of the legs, each possess 2-5 sensory neurons and are
mechanosensilla in that they detect pressures within the surroundings (Kanou et al. 2007), similar to the
antennae. The two hind legs are used to store elastic energy in powering muscle contractions that
defensively catapult Acheta domesticus away from predators (Lepore et al. 2013). The entire specimen is
coloured a faint yellow with brown undertones and has a black pattern throughout its shell. The larger
body segment has distinct horizontal lines throughout, while there are translucent wings covering the

middle segment and posterior segment. It may also be noted that the rear of the female Acheta
domesticus has a central thorn-like obtrusion that is darker brown in colour called an ovipositor used to
eject eggs (Mehlhorn 2008). There are also two more of these needle-like obtrusions extending out
diagonal from either side of the central one called cerci. Cerci have around 3400 hairs, contain a large
number of sensory neurons and are particularly excited by air and sound stimulants (Edwards and Palka
1974).
Acheta domesticus, present in Europe and North America, are believed to have originated from
south-western Asia and northern Africa (Ghouri 1961). Their natural habitats consist of regions such as
woodlands, caves, and the underside of logs (Millburn []). They are attracted to warmth and cannot
withstand the cold, and as such, they can often be found indoors where they can be provided with
sufficient moisture and warmth (Millburn []). Acheta domesticus is extremely prevalent throughout much
of the world due to its diverse living conditions (Millburn []).
Within its environment, Acheta domesticus is affected by the temperature as well as the presence
of water. Booth and Kiddell (2007) found that Acheta domesticus growth was heavily affected by the
temperature of its surroundings; a 3 degrees Celsius difference led to a two-fold difference in growth. This
may be due to the subsequent increased rates of biosynthesis incited by higher temperatures (Booth and
Kiddell 2007). Temperatures in British Columbia are moderate in most regions, typically ranging from
around -5 degrees in the winters to 30 degrees in the summers. Water is essential for various key
functions of life such as the maintenance of biochemical gradients within the body (McCluney and Date
2008). In a study, McCluney and Date (2008) found that crickets inhabiting regions with greater water
availability had an enhanced growth rate. In British Columbia, an abundance of precipitation allows for

high accessibility to water for organisms, with 17-40 inches of annual rainfall in Central B.C (Government
of Canada 2013).
In their habitats, house crickets are prey to many other animals, namely birds, spiders, reptiles and
amphibians (ASU School of Life Sciences []). Thus, Acheta domesticus engages in a predation type
relationship with these animals, as they depend on house crickets for sustenance. Acheta domesticus role
within its natural habitat is that of a primary consumer, detritivore and secondary consumer (Freeman et
al. 2011) due to its diet consisting of other insects, decaying plant matter and living plant matter (ASU
School of Life Sciences []). Acheta domesticus serve as a connection between the photosynthetic energy of
plants to consumers that consider house crickets prey (Freeman et al.2011).

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http://animals.pawnation.com/natural-habitat-acheta-domesticus-1680.html [accessed 28
January 2014].

Tomioka K., Okada Y., and Chiba Y. 1990. Distribution of circadian photoreceptors in the compound eye of
the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 5 (4): 303-13.
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http://www.d.umn.edu/~olse0176/Evolution/insects.html [accessed 28 January 2014].