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Gryllidae

Gryllidae is a family of insects in the order Orthoptera, commonly known as true crickets, distinguished by their dorsoventrally flattened bodies, thread-like antennae equal to or longer than the body length, and enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping.^[1]^[2] These insects also feature three-segmented tarsi, a tympanal organ on the front tibiae for hearing, and in females, a prominent cylindrical or needle-like ovipositor for egg-laying.^[1]^[3] Males are notable for their stridulatory apparatus on the forewings, which they rub together to produce species-specific chirping sounds used in mating calls and territorial defense.^[3]^[2] With more than 2,400 described species, Gryllidae represents one of the largest families within the superfamily Grylloidea and exhibits a cosmopolitan distribution across nearly all terrestrial habitats, from tropical forests and grasslands to urban environments and arid regions.^[4] The family is divided into several subfamilies, including Gryllinae (field crickets), Oecanthinae (tree crickets), Eneopterinae (bush crickets), and Trigonidiinae (sword-tailed crickets), encompassing diverse forms adapted to specific ecological niches. In North America alone, there are over 100 species, though global diversity is highest in tropical areas.^[2]^[5] Gryllids are primarily nocturnal omnivores and scavengers, feeding on decaying plant material, fungi, seeds, and occasionally small invertebrates or conspecifics, which positions them as key decomposers and prey items in food webs.^[2]^[3] Their life cycle involves incomplete metamorphosis, with eggs laid in batches via the ovipositor into moist soil or plant tissues, hatching into nymphs that resemble wingless adults and undergo several molts over weeks to months depending on species and environmental conditions.^[3] Chirp rates, produced only by males in most species, vary with temperature and serve as indicators of environmental conditions, while the family's acoustic communication has made certain species, such as the house cricket (Acheta domesticus), valuable as model organisms in studies of neurobiology, behavior, and development.^[2]^[6] Some species are agricultural pests, while others are commercially reared for fish bait, pet food, or human consumption in various cultures.^[3]

Overview

Introduction

Gryllidae, commonly known as true crickets, is a family of insects within the order Orthoptera, suborder Ensifera, and superfamily Grylloidea. This family encompasses 1,996 valid extant species distributed across 230 genera, making it one of the most diverse groups among ensiferans.^[7] The family was established by Laicharting in 1781, with Gryllus designated as the type genus.^[7] True crickets are widely recognized for their nocturnal habits and distinctive chirping sounds, produced primarily by males through stridulation, which are iconic of summer evenings in many temperate and tropical regions. These insects are often found in grassy areas, forests, and human-modified habitats, contributing to their familiarity in both natural and urban environments. Ecologically, Gryllidae species play key roles as omnivorous consumers of plant matter, detritus, and small invertebrates, facilitating nutrient cycling in soils and litter layers. They also serve as important prey for a variety of predators, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, thereby supporting food web dynamics and overall ecosystem stability.^[8]

Key characteristics

Gryllidae, commonly known as true crickets, are distinguished by their long, filiform antennae that are thin, whip-like, and typically exceed the body length, serving primarily for sensory perception in navigating dark environments.^[9]^[3] Their body structure is robust and cylindrical, often described as stocky with a globular head and a smooth pronotum covering the thorax, while the abdomen terminates in a pair of well-developed cerci—long, hairy appendages present in both sexes that aid in sensory detection.^[10] The hind legs are prominently adapted for jumping, featuring thickened femora and elongated tibiae armed with spines, enabling powerful leaps for escape or locomotion.^[3]^[9] Females possess a distinctive long, cylindrical or needle-shaped ovipositor, which is used to deposit eggs into soil or substrates, contrasting with the more blade-like ovipositor found in related families such as Tettigoniidae (katydids).^[3] This ovipositor, along with the paired cerci, helps differentiate true crickets from mimics or other orthopterans, as katydids have a broader, sword-like egg-laying structure.^[3] Unlike mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae), which have fossorial forelegs for digging, Gryllidae exhibit a more generalized body form suited to surface-dwelling.^[10] Most Gryllidae species are primarily nocturnal, remaining concealed in leaf litter, under logs, or in vegetation during the day and becoming active at night, though some tropical species, such as those in the genus Nisitrus from Southeast Asia, display diurnal behavior.^[9]^[11] This activity pattern aligns with their sensory reliance on long antennae and cerci for detecting predators and mates in low-light conditions.^[3]

Taxonomy and classification

Phylogenetic position

Gryllidae belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Orthoptera, suborder Ensifera, and superfamily Grylloidea.^[12] The family name Gryllidae was established by Laicharting in 1781, with the type genus Gryllus; historical nomenclature has occasionally encompassed broader groupings of ensiferans under "Gryllidae" in older classifications, but modern taxonomy restricts it to true crickets.^[13] Within Orthoptera, Gryllidae is nested in the suborder Ensifera, which also includes Tettigoniidae (katydids) and Stenopelmatidae (wetas and allies), forming a monophyletic clade characterized by long antennae and complex auditory systems.^[14] In Grylloidea, Gryllidae is the sister group to Oecanthidae (tree crickets), with Gryllotalpidae (mole crickets) positioned in the closely related superfamily Gryllotalpoidea or sometimes included in an expanded Grylloidea; this arrangement reflects shared morphological traits like stridulatory structures but highlights ecological divergences. The monophyly of Gryllidae and Grylloidea is robustly supported by molecular phylogenies using nuclear ribosomal genes (18S and 28S rRNA) and mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA and complete mitogenomes), which resolve Ensifera as basal to Caelifera and confirm Grylloidea's position within ensiferan diversification dating to the Permian.^[15]^[16] The fossil record of Gryllidae underscores its ancient origins, with the oldest known specimens attributed to Protogryllus grandis from the Late Triassic (approximately 237–201 million years ago), representing early Gryllidea and featuring primitive wing venation and ovipositor morphology.^[17] Diversification accelerated in the Cretaceous, as evidenced by diverse amber-preserved fossils from Myanmar and Brazil, including representatives of subfamilies like Oecanthinae and Nemobiinae, which document the radiation of acoustic signaling and habitat specialization amid angiosperm expansion.^[18]^[19] These fossils align with molecular divergence estimates placing Gryllidae's crown radiation around 150–100 million years ago.

Subfamilies and genera

The family Gryllidae encompasses eight extant subfamilies and one extinct subfamily, comprising 230 extant genera and 1,995 extant species worldwide.^[12] The extant subfamilies are Eneopterinae (tropical distribution), Gryllinae (cosmopolitan), Gryllomiminae (tropical), Gryllomorphinae (tropical), Itarinae (tropical), Landrevinae (tropical), Pentacentrinae (tropical, discontinuous in the Americas), and Hemigryllinae (revalidated in 2025, endemic to South America).^[20] Gryllinae represents the most diverse subfamily, containing approximately 125 genera and over 1,200 species/subspecies.^[21] Notable genera within Gryllidae include Gryllus, the type genus of Gryllinae, which is cosmopolitan and encompasses over 100 species of field crickets. Acheta, also in Gryllinae, includes the house cricket A. domesticus and several other species adapted to human environments. Teleogryllus, another Gryllinae genus, features around 52 species of black field crickets primarily distributed in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.^[22] Extinct taxa are represented by the subfamily Gryllospeculinae, known from Early Cretaceous deposits, with additional Gryllidae fossils from the Eocene, such as those in Baltic amber.^[19] Examples include Cratogryllus species from the Lower Cretaceous Santana Formation in Brazil's Araripe Basin.^[23] Recent taxonomic revisions have refined Gryllidae's classification, including the elevation of former subfamilies like Oecanthinae to family status (Oecanthidae), Phalangopsinae to Phalangopsidae, and Podoscirtinae to Podoscirtidae based on phylogenetic analyses.^[24] Ongoing updates in the Orthoptera Species File incorporate splits and new descriptions, particularly in subfamilies like Landrevinae and the revalidated Hemigryllinae, with new genera and species added from Indo-Malayan and Madagascan regions as of 2025.^[12]^[20]^[25]

Physical description

Morphology

Gryllidae, the family of true crickets, exhibit a typical orthopteran body plan divided into three tagmata: head, thorax, and abdomen, with adaptations suited to their terrestrial lifestyle. The exoskeleton is chitinous and segmented, providing protection and support, while allowing flexibility for movement.^[26] The head is hypognathous, featuring large compound eyes composed of numerous ommatidia for wide-angle vision and three ocelli arranged in a triangle for detecting light intensity. Mouthparts are mandibulate, adapted for biting and chewing, enabling an omnivorous diet that includes plant material, fungi, and small invertebrates. Antennae are long, filiform, and multisegmented, serving as primary sensory organs for touch and chemoreception.^[26]^[26] The thorax consists of three segments, with the pronotum forming a prominent, shield-like dorsal plate that covers and protects the prothorax. Legs are specialized: forelegs, attached to the prothorax, are equipped with sensory structures including a tympanum on the tibia for audition; middle legs on the mesothorax facilitate walking; and hind legs on the metathorax are elongated and powerful, with enlarged femora enabling jumps of up to 16 times the body length through rapid extension of the tibiae.^[26]^[27] The abdomen comprises 10 visible segments, cylindrical in shape, and terminates in a pair of long, sensory cerci. In females, segments 8 and 9 bear a prominent ovipositor consisting of four valvulae—two dorsal and two ventral—for egg deposition into soil or substrates.^[28] Males possess clasping structures, including modified cerci and a subgenital plate, adapted for grasping during mating. Spiracles along the thorax and abdomen connect to the internal respiratory system. Sexual dimorphism is evident in these genital appendages, with females typically longer due to the ovipositor.^[26]^[26] Wings, when present, include leathery forewings known as tegmina that overlay and protect the fan-like hindwings; the tegmina in males feature specialized structures such as a file and scraper for stridulation, while hindwings enable flight in many species for dispersal.^[26] Internally, respiration occurs via a tracheal system of branching tubes that deliver oxygen directly to tissues from external spiracles, supported by taenidia to prevent collapse. Excretion is handled by Malpighian tubules, slender structures clustered at the hindgut junction that filter hemolymph to remove nitrogenous wastes, which are then processed into uric acid for water conservation.^[26]^[26]

Variation in size and coloration

Gryllidae species display a wide range of body sizes, typically measuring 1–3 cm in length, though extremes span from under 1 cm in certain small Oecanthinae tree crickets, such as some Oecanthus species reaching 12–13 mm, to over 5 cm in large burrowing forms like Brachytrupes membranaceus.^[29]^[30]^[31] Coloration in Gryllidae is predominantly brown, black, or green, adaptations that facilitate camouflage against soil, vegetation, and leaf litter in their terrestrial or semi-arboreal environments.^[32]^[33] Some species, such as Gryllodes sigillatus, feature distinctive yellow tones accented by black dorsal bands, providing subtle contrast while maintaining overall crypsis.^[34] Sexual dimorphism is prevalent, with females generally larger than males across the family, often by 9% on average, reflecting differences in reproductive investment; females possess notably longer ovipositors for egg-laying, while males in certain species, like Gryllus pennsylvanicus, exhibit broader heads and larger mandibles suited to agonistic interactions.^[35]^[36] Intraspecific and interspecific variations align with subfamily distinctions: Gryllinae species tend to have robust, stocky builds with dark brown to black integuments, emphasizing terrestrial adaptations, whereas Oecanthinae are more slender and pale green or yellowish, enhancing their arboreal camouflage among foliage.^[37]^[38]

Distribution and habitats

Global distribution

Gryllidae, the family of true crickets, display a cosmopolitan distribution across all continents except Antarctica, with more than 2,400 described species recorded globally.^[4] This widespread presence reflects their adaptability to diverse terrestrial environments, though they are absent from polar regions due to climatic constraints. Fossil records dating back to the Early Cretaceous indicate an ancient lineage, with distributions of certain subfamilies, such as those in southern continents, consistent with origins linked to the fragmentation of the supercontinent Gondwana.^[12] The highest species diversity occurs in tropical regions, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, where warm climates support prolific speciation. Recent assessments suggest over 2,400 described species, with ongoing discoveries in tropical regions.^[4] In Asia, the family boasts significant richness, with genera like Teleogryllus exhibiting broad distributions extending into Australia, where species such as Teleogryllus commodus are native and widespread across mainland habitats. Africa similarly hosts substantial diversity, including unique assemblages in isolated areas like Madagascar, where members of the subfamily Phalangopsinae show notable endemism, contributing to regional biogeographic patterns.^[10]^[22]^[39] Human-mediated dispersal has facilitated the global spread of certain species, rendering them virtually cosmopolitan. The house cricket Acheta domesticus, originally from southwestern Asia and Europe, has been introduced worldwide through trade and commerce, establishing populations in urban and agricultural settings across continents. In North America, for instance, A. domesticus was introduced from Europe in the 18th century and now occurs widely, often associated with human structures. Such introductions highlight the role of anthropogenic activities in altering natural biogeographic ranges within the family.^[40]^[41]

Habitat preferences

Gryllidae species primarily inhabit terrestrial environments, including grasslands, forests, and even arid deserts, where they exploit a variety of vegetation layers for shelter and foraging.^[10] Many ground-dwelling members, such as those in the genus Gryllus, prefer open meadows and construct burrows in loose, sandy soil to evade environmental extremes and predators.^[42] Within these broader habitats, Gryllidae occupy specific microhabitats that provide moisture and cover, such as under rocks or logs, within leaf litter accumulations, and in arboreal settings for tree crickets in the subfamily Oecanthinae, which frequent shrubs and tree branches.^[10] A subset of species are cavernicolous, adapted to cave interiors where stable humidity supports their survival, exhibiting troglomorphic traits like elongated appendages in some cases.^[43] These crickets demonstrate adaptations to challenging conditions, particularly tolerance to aridity through burrowing behaviors that maintain internal humidity and protect against desiccation in dry grasslands and desert fringes.^[10] They generally favor warm and humid microclimates, with optimal developmental temperatures ranging from 26°C to 34°C for species like Gryllus bimaculatus and Acheta domesticus.^[44] Gryllidae exhibit a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring from sea level up to moderate elevations around 3,000 m in some mountainous regions.^[10]

Biology and behavior

Life cycle and development

Gryllidae, like other orthopterans, undergo incomplete (hemimetabolous) metamorphosis, consisting of three primary life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The egg stage begins when females use their elongated ovipositor to deposit eggs singly or in clusters into moist soil or decaying plant material, with fecundity varying widely by species and environmental conditions, typically ranging from 200 to over 2,000 eggs per female; for example, in Gryllus bimaculatus, females produce 280 eggs at 20°C to 2,300 at 32°C.^[45]^[46]^[47] Incubation duration also varies by species and temperature, e.g., 6–34 days in G. bimaculatus at 32–20°C, with higher temperatures accelerating hatching within the viable range of 20–37°C. Recent research indicates that rising temperatures due to climate change may accelerate development but increase mortality risks beyond optimal ranges (e.g., above 37°C), affecting population dynamics as of 2024.^[45] Upon hatching, nymphs emerge resembling miniature adults but lacking fully developed wings and reproductive structures; they pass through 5 to 12 instars, with the number varying by species and environmental factors. Growth occurs through periodic molting, typically every 3 to 14 days depending on temperature and instar stage, during which the exoskeleton is shed to allow for size increase and gradual development of features like wing pads in later instars. The entire nymphal period, encompassing multiple molts, lasts from 27 days at 32°C to over 180 days at cooler temperatures like 20°C, resulting in a total development time from egg to adult of 1 to 3 months under favorable conditions (25–35°C), though it can extend to 7 months in cooler environments.^[46]^[45]^[47] Adult crickets, reached after the final molt, exhibit full sexual maturity and live for 1 to 3 months, with longevity influenced by temperature—shorter at higher temperatures (e.g., 35–70 days at 32–36°C) and longer at cooler ones (up to 200+ days at 24°C). In temperate zones, many species overwinter as late-instar nymphs, entering diapause to survive cold periods before completing development in spring, which allows univoltine or semivoltine life cycles in such regions.^[47]^[10]^[48]

Communication and sound production

Gryllidae, commonly known as true crickets, primarily communicate through acoustic signals produced via stridulation, a process in which males rub a file-like structure on one forewing (tegmen) against a hardened scraper on the opposing forewing to generate vibrational energy that radiates as sound.^[49] This mechanism acts as a frequency-multiplying system, converting the slow wing closure rate of approximately 20-30 Hz into audible chirps with carrier frequencies typically ranging from 2 to 8 kHz, though most species produce sounds around 4-5 kHz.^[50] The stridulatory files on the wings vary in tooth density and arrangement, influencing the temporal pattern and intensity of the resulting pulses.^[51] Crickets produce distinct song types that serve specific behavioral functions. The calling song, emitted by solitary males, functions in long-range attraction of females and territory advertisement, consisting of regular chirps with species-specific pulse rates and durations.^[52] Courtship songs are performed in close proximity to females, featuring softer, more variable trills or ticks to stimulate mating readiness.^[53] Aggressive songs, triggered by encounters with rival males, include longer chirps or trills to deter competitors and establish dominance.^[54] These songs are modulated by environmental factors such as temperature, which can alter chirp rates.^[55] Hearing in Gryllidae is facilitated by tympanal organs located on the proximal tibiae of the forelegs, consisting of thin membranes backed by air-filled cavities and innervated by sensory neurons (scolopidia) that detect vibrations from 100 Hz to over 100 kHz, including ultrasound.^[56] These organs enable directional hearing through a four-channel system involving acoustic spiracles, allowing precise localization of sound sources.^[57] Females exhibit phonotaxis, orienting toward attractive male calls, while both sexes can detect aggressive or predatory sounds.^[58] Song patterns exhibit significant species-specific variations, aiding in mate recognition and reproductive isolation; for example, in Gryllus firmus, the calling song features chirps at approximately 2 per second with 3-5 pulses each, while Gryllus bimaculatus produces chirps at rates of 30-80 per minute depending on context.^[59] Some Gryllidae species, particularly in subterranean or cave habitats like certain Euscyrtinae, have reduced or absent stridulatory apparatus, resulting in silent communication reliant on alternative cues.^[60]

Reproduction and mating behaviors

Gryllidae species typically exhibit a polygynous mating system, where males defend territories using calling songs to attract multiple females while females often mate with several males to increase genetic diversity and sperm reserves.^[61] Males establish and maintain burrows or fixed locations as territorial centers, aggressively repelling rivals through physical confrontations involving mandible clashes to secure mating opportunities.^[62] The courtship sequence begins with the male stridulating to lure a receptive female, who approaches and orients toward the sound source; upon contact, the male mounts the female, leading to copulation and the transfer of a spermatophore containing sperm and nutritive material.^[63] In many species, such as Gryllodes sigillatus, the spermatophore represents a substantial investment, comprising up to 20-26% of the male's body weight, with the gelatinous spermatophylax portion serving to occupy the female during sperm transfer and providing nutritional benefits.^[64] Following transfer, males in species like G. sigillatus often engage in mate guarding, remaining mounted on the female for minutes to hours to prevent immediate remating and ensure paternity.^[65] Sexual selection in Gryllidae operates through both female choice and male-male competition; females preferentially select males based on the quality of their calling songs, which signal genetic fitness, health, and viability, often favoring longer or more complex chirps.^[66] Males compete directly via agonistic encounters, using their mandibles to grapple and subdue rivals, with winners gaining priority access to territories and females, thereby enhancing reproductive success. Parental care is generally absent in Gryllidae after hatching, with adults providing no provisions or protection to nymphs; however, in some species like Anurogryllus muticus, females exhibit limited maternal care by guarding egg pods post-oviposition to protect against predators and environmental threats.^[67] This behavior is rare within the family and contrasts with the typical lack of post-hatching investment, emphasizing the reliance on high fecundity for reproductive success.^[61]

Diet and foraging

Gryllidae, commonly known as true crickets, exhibit an omnivorous diet in the wild, with a primary emphasis on herbivorous feeding. Species such as Gryllus assimilis and Gryllus pennsylvanicus consume a variety of plant materials, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and grasses, which form the bulk of their intake.^[68]^[69] They also opportunistically engage in carnivory, feeding on dead or dying insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally conspecifics, particularly in resource-limited environments.^[69] Arboreal species within the subfamily Oecanthinae, such as tree crickets, supplement their diet with aphids and other small insects found on vegetation.^[10] Foraging behavior in most Gryllidae is predominantly nocturnal and ground-based, with individuals emerging from burrows or hiding spots at dusk to search for food. Ground-dwelling species like those in the genus Gryllus actively explore soil surfaces and low vegetation, often defending territories that include foraging areas.^[70] This nocturnal activity minimizes predation risk while allowing access to dew-moistened plant matter and nocturnal prey. In contrast, some arboreal forms forage higher in plants, targeting aphids during evening hours.^[10] Nutritionally, Gryllidae require a balanced intake of proteins and carbohydrates, with elevated protein demands supporting reproduction and growth; studies on species like Gryllus bimaculatus show that higher protein ratios enhance adult mass and survival.^[71] In laboratory settings, diets combining oats for carbohydrates and fish food or other protein sources mimic natural needs and promote optimal development.^[72] Cannibalism is prevalent under crowded conditions, where nymphs readily consume eggs or moribund conspecifics to meet protein requirements, as observed in Gryllus bimaculatus and related species.^[70] In subsocial species like Anurogryllus muticus, females provision nymphs with trophic eggs, providing a controlled protein source that reduces opportunistic cannibalism among offspring.^[10]

Ecological role and interactions

Predators and defenses

Gryllidae species face predation from diverse taxa, including birds such as great crested flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) that consume crickets alongside other insects like beetles and grasshoppers, American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) that exploit high cricket abundances, reptiles including lizards that attack foraging individuals, and small mammals like shrews (Sorex spp.) which incorporate crickets into their diet of invertebrates.^[73]^[69]^[74]^[75] These predators often target active, calling males, whose acoustic signals increase detectability in open habitats. Parasitic threats include nematodes such as Mehdinema alii in the decorated cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), which inhabit the hindgut and are transmitted venereally during mating, and tachinid flies like Ormia ochracea whose larvae develop internally in field crickets (Gryllus spp.), using the host's calling song for location and causing host debilitation.^[76] Some nematodes, including hairworms (Paragordius varius), manipulate host behavior by inducing water-seeking in infected crickets, elevating drowning risk and facilitating transmission to aquatic predators like fish.^[77] In response to such invasions, crickets mount cellular immune defenses involving hemocytes that encapsulate and melanize parasites, limiting larval development in species like Gryllus bimaculatus.^[78] To counter predation, Gryllidae employ behavioral and morphological adaptations; cryptic coloration blends individuals with soil and vegetation, reducing visibility to sight-hunting predators like birds and lizards, while many species, such as field crickets (Gryllus spp.), burrow rapidly into soil for concealment upon disturbance.^[74] Thanatosis, or feigning death through rigid immobility, occurs in Gryllus bimaculatus when leg movements are restrained, deterring further attack from predators.^[79] Aggressive displays, including antennal fencing and mandible flaring, can escalate to physical combat in males, serving as a defense against potential threats beyond conspecific rivals.^[80] Predation and parasitism collectively regulate Gryllidae population densities in grasslands, where higher predator activity in open areas constrains abundances and prevents outbreaks, as observed in tropical systems where cricket numbers decline with intensified vertebrate foraging.^[81]

Role in ecosystems

Gryllidae, commonly known as true crickets, play a significant role as decomposers in various ecosystems by consuming and breaking down plant detritus, such as leaf litter and wood, which facilitates nutrient recycling in soils. Through their feeding activities, crickets contribute to the decomposition of organic matter, releasing essential minerals back into the soil and promoting soil fertility, particularly in grassland and forest environments. For instance, in grassland ecosystems, crickets help return nutrients to the soil, supporting overall productivity by aiding in the breakdown of dead plant material.^[82] This process is vital for maintaining soil health, as crickets act as secondary decomposers alongside bacteria and fungi, enhancing organic matter turnover in nutrient-limited habitats. As a key component of food webs, Gryllidae serve as an important prey base for numerous insectivores, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, thereby supporting higher trophic levels and biodiversity. Their abundance and phytophagous diet position them as keystone species in many terrestrial ecosystems, where they provide a reliable food source that sustains predator populations. Additionally, crickets function as bioindicators of habitat health, with their acoustic signaling and community structure reflecting environmental quality; declines in cricket populations can signal disruptions in ecosystem balance.^[83] In tropical forests, crickets also aid seed dispersal via frugivory, consuming fruits and transporting seeds, often at night. In neotropical forests, crickets disperse an equivalent number of seeds as ants but carry larger seeds farther, potentially reducing seed aggregation and altering spatial distribution patterns for plants like those in the Marantaceae family.^[84] Crickets within Gryllidae act as indicators of ecological succession, with their abundance and species richness varying predictably across disturbance gradients, helping to monitor habitat recovery. In tropical systems, such as those in New Caledonia, cricket populations are lowest in early-successional shrublands (e.g., 16.5 individuals per site) and increase markedly in mature forests (up to 57.13 individuals per site), with species richness rising from 7 to 20 species along the gradient. Unique pioneer species dominate disturbed areas, while specialized taxa prevail in mature habitats, mirroring patterns observed in post-fire recovery and forest regeneration elsewhere, such as in Brazilian systems.^[83] This sensitivity makes Gryllidae valuable for assessing restoration success in disturbed ecosystems.

Relationship with humans

Economic and agricultural impacts

Species within the Gryllidae family, such as field crickets (Gryllus spp.), occasionally emerge as agricultural pests by consuming seedlings and foliage, leading to reduced crop yields in affected fields. These crickets primarily target young plants in crops including alfalfa, cotton, strawberries, lettuce, and cereals, where they clip stems and create irregular feeding holes that can destroy entire rows during stand establishment.^[85]^[86]^[87]^[88] For instance, the common black field cricket (Gryllus assimilis) has been documented damaging seedlings of strawberries, red cedar, and other vegetation, exacerbating losses in vulnerable areas.^[70] House crickets (Acheta domesticus), while less destructive to crops, frequently invade homes and structures, where they chew on fabrics, paper, leather, and stored food, resulting in nuisance complaints and minor property damage.^[89] Management of Gryllidae pests in agricultural settings relies on integrated approaches to minimize environmental impact. Cultural methods, such as early weed removal, tillage to disrupt egg-laying sites, and habitat reduction around fields, help prevent population buildup before crickets migrate to crops.^[90] Chemical controls involve targeted applications of insecticides like pyrethroids or bait formulations containing sodium fluosilicate, applied during scouting when damaging densities are observed.^[91]^[92] Biological options include entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema spp.), which parasitize and kill crickets in soil, offering a sustainable alternative for soil-dwelling stages.^[93] Economically, Gryllidae contribute to localized crop losses, though they represent a smaller fraction compared to other orthopterans like grasshoppers and locusts, which collectively cause billions in global agricultural damage annually through widespread outbreaks.^[94] In regions with high cricket densities, such as parts of North America and South Asia, infestations can lead to significant reductions in seedling survival, prompting increased control costs for farmers.^[95] Conversely, certain Gryllidae species provide economic benefits in human-managed systems; house crickets are commercially reared and sold as fish bait and pet food, supporting a growing feeder insect industry valued at around USD 400 million as of 2024.^[96] Additionally, crickets serve as host insects in biocontrol laboratories, aiding the propagation of parasitic nematodes and other agents used against broader pest populations.^[97] Their role in pollination remains minimal, with incidental flower visitation offering negligible agricultural value.^[98]

Cultural and culinary uses

In various cultures, crickets of the family Gryllidae hold symbolic importance, often representing the continuity of life and natural rhythms. In English literature, John Keats' 1816 sonnet "On the Grasshopper and Cricket" portrays the cricket as a symbol of enduring poetry and vitality during winter, contrasting with the grasshopper's summer song to emphasize the ceaseless "poetry of earth." This depiction underscores crickets' association with seasonal persistence in Western folklore, where their chirping evokes themes of resilience and harmony with nature.^[99] In Asian traditions, particularly in China, crickets have been revered for over 3,000 years, initially kept as singing pets in ornate gourds during winter to ward off silence and bring good fortune.^[100] Historical records from the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) describe elite rearing practices, with crickets housed in golden cages near silk quilts for their auspicious songs.^[101] By the 13th century, texts like Jia Sidao's Tsu chi king (Book of Crickets) detailed breeding and fighting techniques, elevating the practice to an imperial pastime symbolizing virility and status.^[102] Cricket fighting, using species such as Gryllus bimaculatus, remains a cultural spectacle in China and Southeast Asia, where males compete in bouts for wagering, rooted in a 1,500-year-old tradition once favored by emperors.^[103]^[104] Culinary uses of Gryllidae span global traditions, with crickets valued as a nutrient-dense protein source. The house cricket (Acheta domesticus) is widely farmed for human consumption due to its high protein content, typically 60–70% of dry weight, providing all essential amino acids and surpassing many conventional meats in efficiency.^[105] In Asia, where insectivory is longstanding, approximately 31 cricket species worldwide have been documented as edible, with a significant portion—over 20 documented in Southeast Asia alone—consumed fried, ground into flour, or incorporated into dishes for their 50–70% protein and rich micronutrient profile.^[105]^[106]^[107] These practices highlight crickets' role in addressing protein malnutrition, as their farming requires far less land and water than livestock. As of 2024, the global crickets market is valued at approximately USD 418 million, with projections to USD 1.2 billion by 2033. In 2023, the EU approved Acheta domesticus for human consumption, boosting commercial farming.^[96]^[108]^[109] Beyond culture and cuisine, Gryllidae serve practical modern applications. Crickets like Acheta domesticus are staples in pet food for reptiles, amphibians, and birds, offering balanced nutrition with high protein and low fat.^[110] They also function as effective fishing bait, attracting panfish and bass due to their natural movement and scent, a tradition sustained by commercial suppliers.^[111] In scientific research, Gryllus bimaculatus is a key model organism in neurobiology, used to study learning, memory, and neural circuits for sound processing and behavior, owing to its well-mapped brain and genetic tractability.^[112]

References

[1]
Family Gryllidae – ENT 425 – General Entomology
Common Name: House, Field, and Tree Crickets. Description: 'True crickets' are found in a variety of environments, including fields, houses, and trees.
[2]
Gryllidae- True Crickets| Wildlife Journal Junior - New Hampshire PBS
True crickets have flattened bodies, antennae that are as long as or longer than their bodies, and two pairs of wings. They also have powerful hind legs.
[3]
Order Orthoptera – ENT 425 – General Entomology
Herbivores and scavengers. Females have a cylindrical or needle-shaped ovipositor. This family includes the house cricket, Acheta ...
[4]
The genome assembly and annotation of the cricket Gryllus ... - Nature
Jun 28, 2024 · Crickets, with more than 2,400 described species, are emerging as novel model research organisms, for their diversity, worldwide distribution, ...
[5]
Family Gryllidae - True Crickets - BugGuide.Net
8 subfamilies, 28 genera, 112 species. North of Mexico (SINA). Identification: Long, slender ovipositor. Long antennae. 3-segmented tarsi.
[6]
Orthoptera Species File - Gryllidae Laicharting, 1781
- **Taxonomy Confirmation**: Order Orthoptera, suborder Ensifera, superfamily Grylloidea.
[7]
Effect of diet on body size and survival of omnivorous crickets - Ogita
Aug 6, 2021 · Omnivorous species play important roles in predator–prey interactions, food web dynamics, and ecosystem functions. Although cricket species ...
[8]
Gryllidae Family - ento.csiro.au
Gryllidae, or crickets, are often seen at night, concealed during the day. They have long antennae, cerci, and wings, and large hind legs for jumping. They ...Missing: key morphology
[9]
Gryllidae - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Nearly 600 genera are known, encompassing over 4000 species, that comprise the Gryllidae; only about seven genera and almost 100 species comprise the ...
[10]
Revision of the cricket genus Nisitrus Saussure (Orthoptera: Gryllidae
Jul 28, 2021 · Nisitrus Saussure, 1878 is a diurnal and monophyletic group of eneopterine crickets found in parts of Southeast Asia. Species often have ...
[11]
Gryllidae Laicharting, 1781 - Orthoptera Species File
Nomenclature (65) · Gryllidae Laicharting, 1781: Vorrede. type genus Gryllus Linnaeus, 1758 · Gryllides [sic] Laicharting, 1781 (not Latin). type genus Gryllus ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[12]
The fifth family of the true crickets (Insecta: Orthoptera: Ensifera ...
We present a phylogenetic hypothesis for a newly defined family of crickets, Oecanthidae defin. nov., sister-group of Gryllidae defin. nov.
[13]
Towards a higher-level Ensifera phylogeny inferred from ...
Recently, a large-scale phylogenetic study of Orthoptera covered 36 of the 40 families representing all 15 currently recognized superfamilies, using complete ...
[14]
Phylogeny of Ensifera (Hexapoda: Orthoptera) using three ...
The goals of the present study are: (1) to estimate phylogeny of the Ensifera using molecular data; (2) to test for monophyly of major recognized lineages, ...
[15]
(PDF) Molecular phylogeny of Gryllidea (Orthoptera: Ensifera) by ...
The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Itarinae and Landrevinae were grouped in Gryllidae, and Euscyrtinae grouped together with Podoscirtinae in Oecanthidae.
[16]
A new weird cricket (Orthoptera, Gryllidea) from mid-Cretaceous ...
Jul 17, 2025 · 2025 ). The Late Triassic species Protogryllus grandis Zeuner, 1937 is the oldest known fossil record of Gryllidea ...
[17]
Phylogenomic analysis sheds light on the evolutionary ... - Nature
Oct 2, 2020 · Using phylogenomic data, we firmly establish phylogenetic relationships among the major lineages and divergence time estimates within Orthoptera ...
[18]
The Oldest Representatives of Tree Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae
Jul 11, 2022 · Two new genera and two new species of Oecanthinae (Gryllidae) are described that are from northern Myanmar amber. They are the oldest representatives of tree ...
[19]
Gryllidae Laicharting 1781 - Zenodo
Aug 1, 2025 · This group includes four genera and 22 extant species, and two genera with five fossil species (Cigliano et al., 2025). The following ...
[20]
All genera of the infraorder Gryllidea of the world: a full list and ...
Aug 19, 2020 · According to the Orthoptera species file, there are 765 genera of the infraorder Gryllidea in the world, belonging to 2 superfamilies, 8 ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[21]
A taxonomic study of genus Teleogryllus from East Asia (Insecta ...
Until now there are 52 species recorded (Cigliano et al., 2018). In 1985, Gorochov reviewed the Teleogryllus species from Asia and established two subgenera. He ...
[22]
Cratogryllus cigueli Martins-Neto, 1991 - Orthoptera Species File
Martins-Neto, R.G. (1991) Cratogryllus cigueli, a new species of Ensifera (Insecta, Grylloidea) from the Santana Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Araripe Basin, ...
[23]
https://orthoptera.speciesfile.org/otus/831013
[24]
Taxonomy of Podoscirtinae (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Part 6
Sep 1, 2025 · Six new genera, 47 new species, 2 new subspecies, and previously unknown female and male of Aphonoides medvedevi Gorochov, 1990 and ...
[25]
Acheta domestica - Lander University
The hindlegs are modified for jumping and are much larger than the others. They are responsible for the characteristic hopping escape behavior of crickets. The ...
[26]
Surface roughness, claw size and leg elasticity influences on the ...
In the longest jump, the cricket A. domesticus was propelled forwards for almost 30 cm, about 16 times its body length, to a take-off velocity of 1.8 m/s at an ...Missing: Gryllidae | Show results with:Gryllidae<|control11|><|separator|>
[27]
Tree Cricket - Oecanthus - BugGuide.Net
Aug 20, 2020 · Size: Body Length 16 mm. Elevation 5,500. ft. Images of this individual: tag all. Tree Cricket - Oecanthus - male.
[28]
Giant Tobacco Cricket (Brachytrupes membranaceus)
Pricing: Dead (spread, as pictured): $60 ; Geographic Range: Southeastern Africa and Madagascar ; View: Top ; Size: Length (excluding antennae and legs): 5 cm.
[29]
[PDF] Crickets - Utah State University Extension
Sep 8, 2008 · The family of “true crickets” is called Gryllidae ... Depending on the species, field cricket adults range from 2-30 mm in length, and have stout ...
[30]
Field Cricket - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Body length of adults is 15–26 mm. Females bear a long ovipositor, which often equals the length of her body. The width of the head is greater than the pronotum ...
[31]
Striped Ground Cricket - Montana Field Guide
Family - True Crickets - Gryllidae. Species - Striped Ground Cricket ... The body length for males is 7-10 mm and females 8-11 mm. The pronotum ...
[32]
Tropical Banded House Cricket - Project Noah
This species is smaller, yellower, with 2 black dorsal bands and usually short winged. It is resistant to the Cricket Virus. Since male crickets produce their ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[33]
Sexual size dimorphism in Orthoptera (sens. str.) — a review
### Summary of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Gryllidae (Orthoptera: Ensifera)
[34]
Male Weaponry in a Fighting Cricket - PMC - PubMed Central - NIH
Dec 24, 2008 · This pattern of sexual dimorphism is consistent with the hypothesis that male heads, maxillae and mandibles evolved to be larger than females ...Missing: coloration subfamily
[35]
Gryllus bimaculatus - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Morphologically, Gryllinae are rather uniform, having stocky bodies, with a globular head and thick legs. Most have well-developed wings and a stridulatory ...
[36]
Prairie Tree Cricket - Montana Field Guide
Generally, tree crickets are characterized by their long, slender shape, pale colors and arboreal habits. The tegmina (forewings) of males are broad and flat, ...
[37]
New and Little-Known Crickets of the subfamily Phalangopsinae ...
Aug 22, 2015 · The systematic position of the Phalangopsinae species known from Africa and Madagascar as well as from the Comores, Seychelles, and some other ...Missing: endemic | Show results with:endemic
[38]
Acheta domesticus | CABI Compendium
This datasheet on Acheta domesticus covers Identity, Distribution, Natural Enemies. Identity. Preferred Scientific Name: Acheta domesticus Linnaeus.
[39]
Crickets - University of Kentucky
Aug 18, 2008 · House crickets were introduced to North America from Europe, and are commonly raised as fish bait and pet food. The house cricket is sometimes ...
[40]
(PDF) Ecology of the field cricket (Gryllidae: Orthoptera) in farmland
Jul 20, 2014 · We study ecology and behavior of crickets near the Odolanów, Poland, between 2009 -2011, with emphasis on the effects of grazing of cattle and horses on ...
[41]
Cuticular Structures in Micropterous Crickets (Orthoptera, Gryllidae ...
Aug 6, 2021 · Orthoptera is a very diverse group that has colonized practically all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. They have adapted to live in the ...
[42]
Acheta domesticus and Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Sep 12, 2022 · The optimal developmental temperature for crickets was determined to range from 26°C to 34°C. Understanding the impacts of temperature on ...
[43]
Altitudinal and Seasonal Distribution of Orthoptera in the Rocky ...
Ninety—four species of Orthoptera (s. lat.) occur along an altitudinal transect from 5000 ft (1530 m) to above 14000 ft (4265 m) in the Front Range of the ...
[44]
Implications for its mass farming | PLOS One
Apr 30, 2024 · Based on our findings G. bimaculatus can be farmed in countries with temperatures ranging between 20 and 37°C around the globe.
[45]
Growth, development, and life history of a mass-reared edible insect ...
Here, we describe the life history of G. sigillatus from hatch to adulthood at 30 °C for traits relevant for mass-rearing and colony management.
[46]
Temperature-dependence of life history in an edible cricket
Crickets grew larger and reached adulthood sooner at higher developmental temperatures at the expense of longevity. Reproductive output was similar across a ...
[47]
[PDF] Geographical variation of life cycle in crickets (Ensifera: Grylloidea)
This mini-review will summarize data on cricket life cycles particularly in relation to their geographical variations, explore responses of populations under ...
[48]
Sound radiation and wing mechanics in stridulating field crickets ...
Jun 15, 2011 · This study documents the mechanical behaviour of wings as they generate frequency modulation, providing insight into the complex mechanism of ...
[49]
Changing resonator geometry to boost sound power decouples size ...
The stridulatory apparatus acts as a mechanical frequency-multiplying system, converting the slow wing-stroke rate (ca 30 Hz) of the insect into a sound of much ...
[50]
The mechanics of acoustic signal evolution in field crickets - PubMed
Mar 8, 2022 · In this study, we explored the use of a finite element model (FEM) of the stridulatory apparatus of a field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, based ...
[51]
The Relationship Between Female Mate Choice and Male Calling ...
Aug 22, 2025 · In Gryllidea crickets, males can produce three types of songs, including calling song, courtship song, and aggressive song (Lin and Hedwig 2021) ...
[52]
Recognition of variable courtship song in the field cricket Gryllus ...
Jul 1, 2012 · The courtship song of G. assimilis is more variable than the courtship songs of other cricket species so far described (Balakrishnan and Pollack ...
[53]
Male Field Cricket Songs Are Altered After Aggressive Interactions
Oct 17, 2018 · We found that dominant (winning) males signaled with higher energy, amplitude, and power the night after winning an aggressive encounter.
[54]
Light alters calling-song characteristics in crickets - PMC
Our findings revealed that the LD calling songs consisted of longer chirps, longer inter-syllable intervals and a higher proportion of 4-syllable chirps ...
[55]
Cricket tympanal organ revisited - PubMed
Mar 4, 2019 · The tympanal organ of the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, spanning 200 μm, is one of the smallest auditory organs among animals.
[56]
Ear morphology and tympanal membrane vibrations in eneopterine ...
Nov 10, 2017 · The tympanal hearing organs are characterised by the presence of two tympanal membranes located in the proximal part of the foreleg tibiae of ...
[57]
TYMPANAL HEARING IN INSECTS - Annual Reviews
Tympanal organs are usually defined by the presence of a tympanal membrane (or eardrum). They are backed by an air-filled space or cavity and are innervated by ...
[58]
EENY066/IN223: Sand Field Cricket, Gryllus firmus Scudder (Insecta
Song. The calling song (689 Kb wav file) is a series of slow-pulsed chirps, with a chirp rate of about two per second. Most chirps have four pulses, with the ...
[59]
Some lesser known silent crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae - PubMed
Nov 20, 2020 · The present paper deals with the revised description of some lesser known silent-slender crickets of Euscyrtinae (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) ...
[60]
5 - Reproductive strategies of the crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Female crickets commonly mate more than once; females benefit in several ways from having larger sperm reserves. Field studies comparing traits of males found ...
[61]
[PDF] MATING SYSTEMS, PATERNAL INVESTMENT AND AGGRESSIVE ...
Field crickets (Gryllus spp.) have a burrow-based call system. They defend geographically fixed territories for which the burrow is the focal point (Alexander ...
[62]
Reproductive Behavior and Physiology in the Cricket Gryllus ...
During the mating stage, the male exhibits distinct behavior that encompasses three main stages: calling, courtship, and copulation. The last stage, copulation, ...
[63]
Food Limitation but Not Enhanced Rates of Ejaculate Production ...
Jun 15, 2021 · These spermatophores may represent a large percentage of the male body mass with reports of up to 26% of the male's weight in certain ...
[64]
Mate Guarding in the Cricket Gryllodes sigillatus - ResearchGate
Aug 6, 2025 · Mate-guarding behaviour in Gryllodes sigillatus was studied under several conditions: 1. undisturbed pairs; 2. pairs with a single male intruder ...
[65]
Acoustic experience shapes female mate choice in field crickets
Since acoustic experience during rearing appears to shape female choice, sexual selection on male song may be periodically relaxed, in turn maintaining greater ...
[66]
Description and photographs of cricket parental care in the wild
Mar 23, 2021 · Although certain forms of parental care are relatively widespread phenomena among insects, within Orthoptera, parental care is rare.
[67]
Gryllus assimilis - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
They sometimes appear to be gregarious, because they are found clustered, but this is simply a reflection of preference for a habitat with limited availability.
[68]
Gryllus - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Field crickets are omnivorous, and feed on a variety of plant and animal matter. They may consume the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of ...Missing: herbivorous | Show results with:herbivorous
[69]
Bioecological aspects of the common black field cricket, Gryllus ...
May 29, 2020 · G. assimilis females lived for 76.50 days in the adult stage, and 138.34 days in total, from egg through nymph to adult. Males produced three ...Missing: lifespan | Show results with:lifespan
[70]
Applying nutritional ecology to optimize diets of crickets raised for ...
Dec 4, 2024 · Both carbohydrate and protein intake influence adult cricket weight gain and survival, with protein intake regulating adult weight gain and ...
[71]
Gryllidae) to various dietary gross energy levels: effects on growth ...
Jun 16, 2025 · Responses of house crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) to various dietary gross energy levels: effects on growth performance and nutrient ...Cricket Management And... · Results · Discussion
[72]
Great Crested Flycatcher Life History - All About Birds
Insects Great Crested Flycatchers eat mainly insects and other invertebrates ... They eat butterflies and moths, beetles, grasshoppers and crickets ...Missing: Gryllidae | Show results with:Gryllidae
[73]
The impact of body temperature on predation avoidance behaviour ...
We have observed hundreds of attempted attacks on crickets outside their burrows by birds, shrews, lizards and other invertebrate predators; crickets ...
[74]
[PDF] Shrew Damage and Control: A Review - DigitalCommons@USU
Food habits studies have revealed that shrews eat a variety of insect, vertebrate, and plant material. Grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, beetles, butterfly and.
[75]
Success of the Parasitoid Fly Ormia ochracea (Diptera
Mar 1, 2012 · Ormia ochracea females are known to parasitize multiple species of field cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) such as Gryllus rubens (Scudder 1902) ...
[76]
Water-seeking behavior in worm-infected crickets and reversibility of ...
Feb 8, 2011 · This study supports the idea that host manipulation by parasites is subtle, complex, and multidimensional.
[77]
Haemocyte‐mediated immunity in insects: Cells, processes and ...
Insect immune responses are regulated by a complex network of signalling pathways mediating haemocyte‐to‐fat body, fat body‐to‐haemocyte, muscle‐to‐haemocyte ...
[78]
Motor output characterizing thanatosis in the cricket Gryllus ...
The cricket Gryllus bimaculatus displays a sudden rigid immobility (thanatosis) when voluntary leg movements are forcibly restrained.
[79]
Aggressive behavior in the antennectomized male cricket Gryllus ...
Jun 15, 2013 · Male crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) exhibit intensively defensive aggressive behavior towards attacking males most often culminating in fighting.
[80]
Crickets as indicators of ecological succession in tropical systems ...
Sep 13, 2022 · A total of 976 specimens, 30 species, and 16 genera were collected, belonging to four families (Gryllidae ... Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, ...
[81]
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/btp.13151
[82]
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-34037-6_26
[83]
https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.13151
[84]
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1601971
[85]
Field Crickets - OSU Extension - Oklahoma State University
They occasionally damage cultivated crops such as alfalfa, cotton, and strawberries. They can also damage vegetables and ornamentals when they are numerous.
[86]
The Common Black Field Cricket: A Serious Pest in South Dakota
While this species of cricket is omnivorous, the greater portion of its diet consists of vegetable matter. Many of our field and garden crops may be injured ...Missing: foraging | Show results with:foraging
[87]
Crickets in Strawberries | NC State Extension Publications
Mar 19, 2014 · In North Carolina, crickets primarily damage the leaves of young strawberry plants after transplant. Their feeding holes are rough-edged and ...
[88]
Field Cricket / Lettuce / Agriculture: Pest Management Guidelines ...
Crickets are of the concern mainly during the stand establishment when they can quickly destroy rows or even most of a field by clipping of seedling plants ...
[89]
House-Invading Crickets | MU Extension
Sep 27, 2017 · These crickets also eat dead or dying insects, including their own species. At times, field crickets may also cause damage to field crops. A ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[90]
Crickets / Cucurbits / Agriculture: Pest Management ... - UC IPM
Clear weeds early in spring before crickets mature and begin to migrate. Treat if damaging numbers of insects are observed during field inspection.
[91]
House and Field Crickets - Clemson HGIC
Oct 2, 1998 · The most important step to take for successful control is to reduce or eliminate the habitats that make it possible for the crickets to survive.
[92]
Insecticidal Control of the Common Black Field Cricket (Gryllus ...
Sodium fluosilicate, as used in baits, proved a most satisfactory insecticide. For use in houses, and other places where bait could not be applied ...
[93]
Entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of Gryllus sp ... - SciELO
Field results indicate the potential of the use of entomopathogenic nematodes for the control of crickets under the conditions tested. LEPPLA et al. (2007) ...
[94]
Crop losses to arthropods - ResearchGate
Arthropod pests cause losses of approximately 18%-26% of annual crop production worldwide (Culliney, 2014) , at a cost of more than US$470 billion (Sharma et al ...
[95]
Incidence of Gryllidae on Different Host Plants from Mirpurkhas, Sindh
During the current study on cricket species in the district of Mirpurkhas-Sindh, 05 genera and 11 species were found, with 01 subspecies belonging to 02 ...
[96]
Field Crickets - Missouri Department of Conservation
Crickets have economic impacts as agricultural and household pests, but also as fish bait and pet food. People who have pet tarantulas, reptiles, or ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[97]
[PDF] biocontrol of black cricket, gryllus bimaculatus - CABI Digital Library
Chemical control included use of boric acid and selective pesticides application can reduce pest populations, but not total control (Bradley. & Gibson, 1998).
[98]
Assessing the phytosanitary threats of two non-native crickets under ...
Jan 29, 2025 · Gryllus bimaculatus can feed on a wide range of crops and vegetation (Woodring and Lorenz 2007), potentially leading to economic losses for ...
[99]
'The poetry of earth is never dead': Meteorology and Myth in Keats's ...
Keats's 1816 competition sonnet 'On the Grasshopper and Cricket' is easily dismissed as juvenilia, but when read with an eye to his interest in Greek ...
[100]
Cricket Combat | The World of Chinese
Jun 25, 2014 · For over 3,000 years the Chinese have kept crickets as singing pets, but for those with fire in their blood, this wasn't enough. Some people ...
[101]
In Ancient China, Pet Crickets Spent the Winter in Opulent Gourds
Jun 5, 2019 · According to ancient texts, as the weather cooled, they collected crickets and slipped them into tiny golden cages. “These… they place near ...
[102]
The violent and royal history of cricket matches in China - Scroll.in
Apr 3, 2017 · Minister Kia Se-tao, who lived in the first part of the 13th century, wrote a book called Tsu chi king or Book of Crickets, considered one of ...
[103]
The Big-Money World of Underground Cricket Fighting
Feb 25, 2021 · Cricket fighting is a 1,500-year-old tradition in China, and it was once the sport of emperors.<|separator|>
[104]
Chirps and Cheers: China's Crickets Clash, and Bets Are Made
Nov 5, 2011 · Countless members of the Gryllus bimaculatus clan, also known as field crickets, have faced off in the capital's narrow alleys this fall.
[105]
Edible Crickets (Orthoptera) Around the World - PubMed Central - NIH
Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food ...
[106]
Edible Insects in Thailand: An Overview of Status, Properties ... - MDPI
Insects are now consumed globally, with 11 European, 14 Oceania, 23 American, 29 Asian, and 35 African countries all partaking in insect consumption. Among ...
[107]
Edible crickets as a possible way to curb protein-energy malnutrition
Oct 30, 2024 · Both species showcased a substantial protein content ranging from 60 to 70% on a dry weight basis (DWB), encompassing all essential amino acids ...
[108]
Live Crickets - Delivered to Your Door - Fluker Farms
In stock Rating 4.0 (269) Fluker's crickets (Acheta domesticus) are an ideal feeder for pets and reptiles because they offer a high protein content and are nutritionally well-rounded ...
[109]
Crickets: Fish Bait, Pet Food, or both? – Fortywoods
Jul 9, 2024 · Using crickets as live bait is a tradition passed down from generation to generation, and to this day remains one of the best baits for all Panfish species.
[110]
Learning and memory in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus - Matsumoto
Mar 28, 2022 · The cricket Gryllus bimaculatus has a highly developed capability of learning and memory, including lifetime memory, context-dependent ...