(Have You Seen Me?)

It's the Bug Mug Shot Locator

Contact EnviroSafe for immediate assistance.

INTRODUCTION. Field crickets can severely damage or destroy field crops and vegetable crops and hence, probably get their common name from this activity.  The genus Gryllus is widely distributed throughout the Americas or New World, and consists of about 25 species in the United States.

RECOGNITION. Adults 1/2-1/8in (13-30 mm) long.  Color typically black but varies to brownish yellow or straw yellow.  Antennae threadlike, much longer than body.  Wings lay flat on the back.  Cerci long, feelerlike.  Hind leg tibial spines short, stout, non-movable.  Tarsi 3-segmented.  Adult female with a long subelike ovipositor (egg laying structure) located at tip of abdomen, between cerci.

     Nymphs similar to adults except smaller, and lack wings and an ovipositor (females).

 

 

 

 

 

 

HABITS. Outdoors around buildings, they are typically found in moist situations such as in mulched areas, unweeded plant beds, in and around woodpiles, stones, and debris, etc.  Their presence is often indicated by the males chirping, which for most species occurs during the day and night.  These sounds are made by rubbing the front wings together.  His calling song serves to attract females.  They are often attracted in great numbers to electric lights.

                    Field crickets can destroy field crops such as alfalfa, wheat, oats, and rye, and vegetable crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, etc.  Hugh outbreaks occasionally occur in the midwest and south where they cometimes enter towns and cities in great swarms.  They also feed on other insects and their own kind.

                    They do not survive indoors for long periods of time and usually die off by winter.  However, they may cause damage to fabrics of cotton, wool, linen, silk, synthetics, or leather and fur garments, especially when soiled with perspiration or food.

Copyright(c) 2004 Envirosafe. All rights reserved.
customerservice@envirosafepc.com