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| Class: | Order: | Family: | |
| Insecta | Orthoptera | Gryllidae | |
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| Size: | Field crickets in the adult stage are 1/2 to 1-1/8 in (13-30 mm) long. |
| Color: | Typically black, but varying to brownish yellow or straw yellow. |
| Characteristics: | Threadlike antennae are much longer than body; wings lay flat on back; long feeler-like appendages at end of abdomen; female has long tube-like egg laying structure at tip of abdomen. |
| Geographic Range: | Throughout North and South America; about 25 species in the U.S. |
| Food: | Plants and insects, including other crickets |
| Biology: | Field crickets usually overwinter as eggs, depending on species, but may overwinter as mid to late stage nymphs. Females lay 150-400 eggs singly in firm, moist soil. Development from egg to adult typically takes 80-90 days, with 8-9 stages (instars) of nymphs; 1-3 generations per year. |
