External egg morphology of Melanogryllus desertus (Pallas, 1771) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

External egg morphology of Melanogryllus desertus was studied with both light and scanning electron microscopy. Culture of this species was made at 26 ±2°C and 45±5% relative humidity in laboratory conditions. Mature female crickets laid eggs singly on cotton and they are carefully separated from each other. Eggs of M. desertus are yellow and thin-long shaped. While anterior end has sharp tip, posterior end is rounded. There was a micropylar opening in the anterior end. The surface of the egg is smooth, but posterior end bears small chorionic protrusions. © Biharean Biologist, Oradea, Romania, 2012