Homoeogryllus orientalis (Desutter-Grandcolas, 1985), the South African bell cricket, is a species in the tribe Homoeogryllini of the subfamily Cachoplistinae.[1] The species is reported from southern tropical Africa including parts of Mozambique and South Africa.[2] Within South Africa it has been reported south of the tropics in the Bushveld and in the Free State.[3]
Recordings show that the male song of Homoeogryllus orientalis is almost identical to that of the related species Homoeogryllus reticulatus from the coast of tropical West Africa.[1] Recordings of presumed orientalis in the wild in South Africa also are consistent.[4] There is however no question of the two populations being of the same species, because there are marked differences between their genitalia.[1]