1-877-741-BUGS(2847)
We Can Get Rid Of:
LIC.,BOND,& INSUR.
LIC# PR 6163
CONTACT US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE:
FIELD CRICKET:
Field crickets are insects of order
Orthoptera. These crickets are in
subfamily Gryllinae of family Gryllidae.
They hatch in spring, and the young
crickets (called nymphs) eat and grow
rapidly. They shed their skin (molt)
eight or more times before they become
adults.
Field crickets eat a broad range of
feeds: seeds, plants or insects (dead or
alive). They are known to feed on
grasshopper eggs, pupae of
Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) and
Diptera (flies). Occasionally they may
rob spiders of their prey. They will also
practice cannibalism if they are very
hungry.
Acheta domesticus (the house cricket)
and Gryllus bimaculatus are sometimes
raised in captivity for use as live food
for exotic pets. Ironically, one of the
ways to produce the most nutritious
crickets is to feed them dry pet food.
Identification
Field crickets normally range between
15mm and 25mm in size, depending on
the species, and can beblack , red or
brown in colour. While both males and
females have very similar basic body
plans, each has its own distinguishing
feature(s).
Females can be indentified by the
presence of an ovipositor, a spike-like
appendage, about 3/4 of an inch long,
on the hind end of the abdomen
between two cerci. This ovipositor
allows the female to bury her fertilized
eggs into the ground for protection and
development. In some female field
crickets, species can be distinguished
by comparing the length of the
ovipositor to the length of the body
(i.e.G. rubens has a longer ovipositor
than G.texensis)
Males are distinguished from females
by the absence of an ovipositor. At the
end of the abdomen there are simply
two cerci. Unlike females, however,
males are able to produce sounds or
chirps. Thus, males can be identified
through sound while females cannot.
Behavior
In mid to late summer, males begin
chirping. The acoustical properties of
their calling song provide an indication
of past and present health. Females
evaluate each song and move towards
the one they prefer. When the male
senses a female is near, he will
produce a softer courting song. After
mating, the female will search for a
place to lay her eggs, preferably in
warm, damp soil.
Field crickets prefer to live outdoors,
but will move inside when
environmental conditions become
unfavorable. Their method of entry into
buildings include open doors and
windows as well as cracks in poorly
fitted windows, foundations, or siding.
Unlike house crickets, which can adapt
themselves to indoor conditions, the
field cricket will die by early winter.
Consequently, field crickets in
temperate regions exhibit diapause.
