Gryllidea

Vickery, 1977

crickets

Family Guides

5

Gryllidea is an infraorder within the suborder Ensifera comprising crickets and their relatives. The group contains two superfamilies— (true crickets, tree crickets, scaly crickets, and allies) and Gryllotalpoidea (mole crickets and ant crickets)—encompassing more than 6,000 described globally. Members are characterized by through stridulation, with males producing species-specific songs to attract mates. The infraorder originated in the approximately 250–200 million years ago and represents the third most diverse group within Orthoptera.

Neoxabea bipunctata by (c) Aaron Carlson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Aaron Carlson. Used under a CC-BY license.Myrmecophilus nebrascensis by (c) Jared Shorma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jared Shorma. Used under a CC-BY license.Myrmecophilus oregonensis by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gryllidea: /ɡrɪˈlɪdiːə/

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Identification

Gryllidea can be distinguished from other Ensifera (katydids, camel crickets, and allies) by the structure of the stridulatory apparatus: crickets possess file-and-scraper mechanisms on the forewings (tegmina) with the file located on the underside of the anal and the scraper on the margin of the opposite forewing. Antennal sockets are positioned between the rather than below them. The typically have three segments, and the ovipositor is usually cylindrical and needle-like rather than flattened and blade-like. Mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae) are immediately recognizable by their forelegs modified into broad, shovel-like digging structures.

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Habitat

vary extensively across . True crickets (Gryllidae) occupy diverse terrestrial environments including grasslands, forests, and anthropogenic settings. Tree crickets (Oecanthidae) inhabit shrubs and trees. Mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae) are subterranean, constructing extensive tunnel systems in moist soils. Ant crickets (Myrmecophilidae) are obligate inhabitants of nests. Cave crickets and camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae, not within Gryllidea but often confused) occur in dark, humid microhabitats; however, true crickets generally prefer above-ground situations with access to vegetation for food and shelter.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution across all continents except Antarctica. Highest occurs in tropical and subtropical regions. The Nearctic region harbors 164 described or across four , with greatest abundance in the southeastern coastal plain, Interior Plateau, and Piedmont of the United States. Yunnan Province, China, alone records 166 species and subspecies. The Asian camel cricket (Diestrammena asynamora), native to Asia, has established in North America since before 1900 and now dominates urban camel cricket in the eastern United States.

Seasonality

Activity patterns vary by and climate. Temperate species typically exhibit in late spring through summer, with breeding activity extending into autumn. Many species overwinter as or nymphs. In tropical regions, breeding may occur year-round with seasonal peaks. Home-invading species such as camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) and field crickets show increased indoor activity in late summer and early autumn when seeking sites. activity predominates across most species.

Diet

, with most consuming decaying plant matter, fungi, , and opportunistically feeding on dead or weakened insects and small . Some species damage living plant material; mole crickets feed on roots and tubers, occasionally causing agricultural damage. Ant crickets (Myrmecophilidae) are kleptoparasites, obtaining food by stealing from nests or receiving mouth-to-mouth from ants. A few species have been documented as occasional pests of paper products, fabrics, and greenhouse plants.

Host Associations

  • ants - Myrmecophilidae (ant crickets) are obligate myrmecophiles inhabiting nests, chemically disguising themselves by matching cuticular hydrocarbon profiles

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with , nymph, and stages. Eggs are typically deposited in soil or plant tissue using the ovipositor. Nymphs resemble adults but lack fully developed wings and reproductive structures, passing through multiple instars. Development rate varies with temperature and , with some temperate species completing one annually while tropical species may produce multiple generations.

Behavior

is the defining behavioral trait: males stridulate by rubbing forewings together to produce -specific calling songs for mate attraction, courtship songs, and aggressive songs. Some species engage in satellite , with silent males positioning themselves near calling males to intercept females. Mole crickets construct acoustic burrows that amplify calling songs. Ant crickets exhibit chemical mimicry of ants. (voluntary leg detachment) occurs when captured by , with the severed leg continuing to twitch as a distraction. Many species exhibit thigmotaxis, traveling with body contact against walls or other surfaces.

Ecological Role

Significant decomposers of organic matter in terrestrial . Serve as prey for diverse including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and . Mole crickets alter soil structure through burrowing. Ant crickets function as kleptoparasites within colony ecosystems. Some act as for (), which parasitize crickets and manipulate to facilitate transmission to aquatic environments.

Human Relevance

Economically important as agricultural pests (mole crickets damaging turf and crops), household nuisances (field crickets and camel crickets entering dwellings), and food sources (Acheta domesticus and Gryllodes sigillatus widely farmed as human food and animal feed). Acoustic properties studied in bioacoustics and neuroscience. Used as model organisms in developmental , genetics, and behavioral research. Historical and cultural significance in folklore and as symbols of good fortune in some cultures.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Camel crickets and cave crickets are frequently mistaken for true crickets, but belong to the Rhaphidophoridae outside the infraorder Gryllidea. Jerusalem crickets (Stenopelmatidae) are not true crickets despite their . The presence of long and jumping legs does not reliably distinguish crickets from katydids; wing venation and tarsal segmentation provide more definitive characters.

More Details

Phylogenetic context

Molecular phylogenetic studies using complete mitochondrial have resolved Gryllidea as monophyletic within Ensifera, diverging from other lineages in the Triassic. Gene order rearrangements have been documented in several lineages. The ant-loving crickets (Myrmecophilidae) exhibit elevated GC content in mitochondrial genomes and signatures of positive selection in c oxidase subunit I, potentially related to their specialized subterranean lifestyle and small wingless .

Conservation and research needs

The group remains under-sampled in phylogenetic studies relative to other orthopteran lineages. Many , particularly cavernicolous and myrmecophilous forms, have restricted distributions and may be vulnerable to disturbance. The rapid diversification of crickets, potentially driven by on acoustic signals, presents opportunities for studying speciation mechanisms.

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