Weird - albino cricket !

[GrifTheGreat]

There is a species of cricket called Ghost Crickets, but they don't look like that.

[flybyferns]

Okay , so here he is. 'Casper the Friendly Ghost'-- cricket !!
I shinned a light in is eyes- as close I wanted to get. No red.
He is different, for sure.
NOT jumpy. And, he likes to hang out in the egg laying area.









I'll keep him , and see what happens?
OMG, now I have to worry about a cricket !!!!!

Lynn

[JeffreH]

Beautiful = )

It isn't an albino though, as insects do not contain tyrosinase and can therefore not produce melanin.

That being said - it could be a random phenotype. I would breed it to see if it is genetic. Could just be a reduced pigment specimen, hypopigmented, etc.

Follow up question: does he feel different than the other crickets? Is his exoskeleton as hard?

[flybyferns]

Beautiful = )

It isn't an albino though, as insects do not contain tyrosinase and can therefore not produce melanin.

That being said - it could be a random phenotype. I would breed it to see if it is genetic. Could just be a reduced pigment specimen, hypopigmented, etc.

Follow up question: does he feel different than the other crickets? Is his exoskeleton as hard?

No, he is softer.

[JeffreH]

I can tell that his wings look just slightly "off"

He might have reduced chitin within the exoskeleton, something that might normally be selected against but would prove incredibly useful to us using them as feeders. This would also explain his desire to stay in the moist area of the enclosure, as humidity is vital during the time of ecdysis for most species.

Does he otherwise behave normally? Can he eat fine and move about fine?

[flybyferns]

I can tell that his wings look just slightly "off"

He might have reduced chitin within the exoskeleton, something that might normally be selected against but would prove incredibly useful to us using them as feeders. This would also explain his desire to stay in the moist area of the enclosure, as humidity is vital during the time of ecdysis for most species.

Does he otherwise behave normally? Can he eat fine and move about fine?

Yes , he is acting normally as far as I can tell. In fact, I see him in the food dish a lot ?
He does NOT spend time on the cotton balls/for water though.
He likes the cocoa fiber that I keep damp for them to lay their eggs in?
He does hang around the others in the 'nursery' area.
I set this repro bin up about 1 week ago. It's cool in my basement, so it will be a while.
There is, also , another ( very light colored - tanish ) colored male in the mix?

[JeffreH]

It could be genetic, it could be an individual thing... perhaps there was an issue during sclerotization (hardening/tanning process during a molt).

Only way to find out! Make babehs!! >=D

I would be tempted to think this is more of a structural anomally due to the softer exoskeleton, the lighter coloration likely resulted from this rather than an a specific pigmentation difference. Regardless, it would be interesting to find out if this is a fluke or something that can be reproduced. I for one would love to see a genetically 'soft' cricket.

[Kristen87]

Okay , so here he is. 'Casper the Friendly Ghost'-- cricket !!
I shinned a light in is eyes- as close I wanted to get. No red.
He is different, for sure.
NOT jumpy. And, he likes to hang out in the egg laying area.









I'll keep him , and see what happens?
OMG, now I have to worry about a cricket !!!!!

Lynn

Hahaha how cute, you now have a pet cricket :P Bet you never expected that one!

[fluffypanda]

i have a pet beetle! i was trying to breed the 'Giant Mealworms' and he was the only survivor! I've had him for a few months now and his name is max

[frogluver]

Casper would be a fitting name Lynn lol! ;D

[GrifTheGreat]

Is it possible their was a lack of a specific vitamin or mineral like calcium that may have prevented the hardening of his exoskeleton rather than a genetic anomoly?

[flybyferns]

Is it possible their was a lack of a specific vitamin or mineral like calcium that may have prevented the hardening of his exoskeleton rather than a genetic anomoly?

Good thought Grif ! I do mix gut load w/calcium in their daily feed though.

[JeffreH]

Is it possible their was a lack of a specific vitamin or mineral like calcium that may have prevented the hardening of his exoskeleton rather than a genetic anomoly?

Possibly, though I am not sure what crickets specifically require during sclerotization, as the cuticle of each species of insect varies at least slightly.

The bulk of the exoskeleton (which isn't just a single layer) is composed primarily of chitin, a complex polysaccharide much like cellulose in plants. Most of us are pretty familiar with chitin as we have to deal with it when we consume crustraceans and this is generally the cause for concern with feeders that have dense exoskeletons like mealworms and zophobas. In addition, there are various proteins involved with the parts of the exoskeleton, and the prcoess of molting and 'hardening' to grow is fairly complicated... there are a number of enzymes involved, required precursors such as hormones and other cofactors. Its possible that dietary needs aid in the production of these cofactors, except I'd expect to see issues with the actual molt in the entire population (or a complete inability to molt, and death).

On the note of Zophobas morio (Superworms), this species is most safer to feed than the 'Giant' variety of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) as the Giant variety are generally provided with an insect growth hormone to allow them to attain massive size and inhibit pupation to be used as bait. I'm not sure if there are negative effects to this insect growth hormone to our pets, but I'd rather not feed them. Zophobas are frequently coined as giant mealworms, make sure that the species you obtain are dark in color, with dark heads and very active (and unable to be refrigerated. They should look like this: SupersEatSilkC.jpg picture by JEFFREH - Photobucket

Anywho, crickets are thought to bring good fortune in some cultures...maybe this one is your Lucky ticket = ) You should name him Cri-Kee, like the one from the movie Mulan!


One more quick follow-up: Lynn, do you know if he was born this way?

[Kristen87]

i have a pet beetle! i was trying to breed the 'Giant Mealworms' and he was the only survivor! I've had him for a few months now and his name is max

lol cuuuute! ugh giant mealworms though, they are the CREEPIEST things ever lol. I'm getting the shivers just thinking about them.

[Whistly]

Casper looks awesome I would breed him and sell albino crickets people would probably go nuts for them.

[flybyferns]

Casper looks awesome I would breed him and sell albino crickets people would probably go nuts for them.

No Thank You !!! I'll send him on a boat ride across the river to you! lol

[NetworkLabs]

Lolwut to above.

I think if this is genetic, and shows no harm to our beloved animals, that this would be a better feeding choice than the regular House Cricket! It has a softer exoskeleton/body right? That means easier to take in and diejest(Damn, couldn't spell it!) the cricket! So I agree with Jeff, Get Babies ASAP!

[Whistly]

Lolwut to above.

I think if this is genetic, and shows no harm to our beloved animals, that this would be a better feeding choice than the regular House Cricket! It has a softer exoskeleton/body right? That means easier to take in and diejest(Damn, couldn't spell it!) the cricket! So I agree with Jeff, Get Babies ASAP!

Digest lol spelling isn't my strong point either.

[Whistly]

Also this thread has had 29 now 30 replies in 24 hours so just think how people will go MAD if you can breed them and sell them.