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Pest Library
Size: |
Field crickets in the adult stage are 1/2 to 1-1/8 in
(13-30 mm) long. |
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. |
Color: |
Typically black, but varying to brownish yellow or straw yellow. |
Geographic Range: |
Throughout North and South America; about 25 species in the U.S. |
Comparison with other species: |
House crickets are light yellow-brown, with 3 dark bands on the
head. Cave (also known as camel, or stone) crickets have "humpback",
are wingless; antennae almost touch at base; first hind leg section
is long. Jerusalem crickets are large, wingless; first hind leg section
is short, does not extend beyond tip of abdomen. Mole crickets have
broad spade-like front legs, and antennae that are much shorter than
body. |
Habitat: |
Outdoors in moist places. |
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. |
Invasion: |
They do not live very long indoors, and usually die by winter. However,
they can enter through small crevices and openings in a building. |
Damage: |
Field crickets can be extremely damaging to field crops, such as
wheat, oats, alfalfa, and rye, as well as to vegetables such as tomatoes,
cucumbers, beans. On some occasions there are huge swarms of crickets
that sweep through regions of the midwest and south. Besides damage
to crops, crickets may chew into fabrics, such as wool, linen, cotton,
silk, or man-made fibers, as well as fur and leather. Soiled fabrics
are especially vulnerable. |
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