Field Cricket

Order: Orthoptera

Family: Gryllidae

Genus:Gryllus

Identifying Characteristics:

- Field crickets are dark brown to black crickets, 9/16 to over 1 inch long

- Females can be identified by the presence of an ovipositor, a spike-like appendage, about 0.75 inches (19 mm) 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

- 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.

Special Adaptations:

- Life Cycle: Adult females are recognizable because of the sword-like egg laying structure (ovipositor) in addition to the two appendages (cerci) at the end of the abdomen, and their fully developed wings. Females deposit eggs in moist soil or sand. After 15 to 25 days,nymphs hatch from the eggs. They resemble adults except for their smaller size and lack of wings. Nymphs develop to adults in about 12 weeks, depending on temperature. As many as three generations may be produced per year

- Adult males chirp to mark territory and attract females.

- These crickets live in cool dark and damp habitats like caves, plumbing, under rocks, damp basements and inside privies.