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Field Cricket
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)
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Common Name: Field Cricket

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Gryllidae


Pest Status: Field crickets are considered nuisance pests in most situations. They can cause injury to plants but normally do very little damage.

Appearance: Field crickets are dark brown to black insects that are over 1 inch long. They have long antennae and long, well- developed hind legs for jumping.

Life Cycle: Crickets spend the winter as eggs that usually hatch in late spring, though temperature and rainfall can affect the time of hatching. Newly emerged crickets can walk and jump immediately after hatching. They pass through approximately eight nymphal instars before becoming adults. Adults emerge in late summer and die in early fall.

Where to Collect: Crickets spend the day in warm, dark cracks and emerge at night to feed. They are most active at night and can sometimes be located by their distinctive chirping.