True Crickets

Gryllidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Infraorder: Gryllidea
Family: Gryllidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gryllidae: /ˈɡrɪlɪˌdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Gryllus assimilis (4316821328) by Diogo Rodrigues Gonçalves from São Bernardo do Campo, Brasil. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Field cricket at Mechode Padur by വരി വര. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Anurogryllus arboreus by Arturo Santos. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Steppengrille Gryllus assimilis by Holger Krisp. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Gryllus ovisopis female 01a 01 by Kevinjudge. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Acheta domesticus, zirpendes Männchen by Geyersberg, Professor emeritus Hans Schneider. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

The family Gryllidae includes true crickets, characterized by long antennae and a range of sizes and habitats, playing significant roles in various ecosystems and cultures worldwide.

Physical Characteristics

Long, slender ovipositor; long whip-like antennae; 3-segmented tarsi.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by their long antennae, robust body in field crickets, and delicate appearance in tree crickets with transparent forewings.

Habitat

Variable; can be found in fields, forests, and urban areas.

Distribution

Worldwide except Antarctica; diverse species in North America, especially in the eastern states.

Diet

Herbivorous; primarily feed on decaying plant material, leaves, and grasses.

Life Cycle

Typically undergo a complete metamorphosis, including egg, nymph, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs in soil or plant material using their long ovipositor.

Predators

Various birds, reptiles, and other insects.

Ecosystem Role

Important decomposers and part of the food web; aid in nutrient recycling.

Economic Impact

Some species are agricultural pests, while others can contribute to pest control as they feed on decaying organic matter.

Cultural Significance

Widely known for their chirping, which is often associated with summer evenings; featured in folklore and literature.

Collecting Methods

Netting in the field
Light traps

Preservation Methods

Ethanol preservation
Pinning for museum specimens

Evolution

Part of the Orthopteran suborder Ensifera; evolved various adaptations to diverse environments.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with katydids; crickets are distinct from bush crickets (Tettigoniidae).