The first record of the invasive cricket species Velarifictorus micado (Saussure, 1877) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae) for Transcaucasia (Georgia)

Abstract

A few crickets specimens collected in Georgia turned out to belong to the genus Velarifictorus Randell, 1964 and to the species micado, which is widely distributed in East Asia. The species is common in urban surroundings in Japan, China and Korean Peninsula, known in the South of Russian Far East and in some countries of South-East Asia. Velarifictorus micado is known for its expansion potential; it has invaded a large part of the United States of America after introduction in 1959. The species has not been observed in Europe so far, but now it is recorded for the first time in Georgia. Invasion of adherent Turkish and Russian lowland territory is to be expected. Consequences of the introduction are debated.

Keywords

• orthoptera
• gryllidae
• transcaucasia
• colchian lowland
• invasive species