Gryllidae

Laicharting, 1781

True crickets

Subfamily Guides

5

, commonly known as true crickets, is a of insects in the order Orthoptera, suborder Ensifera. Members are characterized by long, thread-like , cylindrical bodies, enlarged hind adapted for jumping, and forewings modified for sound production. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many former (including tree crickets, ground crickets, and sword-tail crickets) elevated to family status. True crickets exhibit worldwide distribution except Antarctica and are known for their , with males producing -specific calling songs to attract females.

Gryllinae by (c) Josip Skejo, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Josip Skejo. Used under a CC-BY license.Acheta domesticus by (c) Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb. Used under a CC-BY license.Gryllus by (c) Tyler Bishop, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tyler Bishop. Used under a CC-BY license.

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.

Identification

Distinguished from grasshoppers (Acrididae, Romaleidae) by long and cylindrical versus laterally compressed body. Separated from Tettigoniidae (katydids/bush crickets) by generally more robust body form, different stridulatory file structure, and often by preference. Distinguished from former gryllid now elevated to rank (Oecanthidae tree crickets, Trigonidiidae sword-tail crickets, Nemobiidae ground crickets, Mogoplistidae scaly crickets) by combination of body form, antennae structure, and male genitalia. Specific identification relies on male calling song characteristics, examination of male genitalia, and detailed wing venation patterns.

Images

Habitat

Diverse including grasslands, meadows, forests, woodlands, wetlands, and riparian zones. Many associated with soil burrows, leaf litter, or vegetation. Some specialized: Gryllinae often in open fields and lawns; Myrmecophilinae exclusively in colonies; Eneopterinae frequently in tropical and subtropical forests. Moisture availability often critical; many species found near streams, marshes, or in humid microhabitats.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution except Antarctica. Present on all continents and most oceanic islands. Highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. Well-represented in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America.

Seasonality

Activity patterns vary by and latitude. Temperate species typically active from spring through fall, with some as or nymphs. Tropical species may be active year-round. often synchronized, with mass emergence events in some species. Calling activity predominantly , though some species active diurnally.

Diet

, feeding on plant material including leaves, stems, seeds, and fruits, as well as small insects and other arthropods. Some predatory, including Metioche vittaticollis which preys on rice pests.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with , nymph, and stages. Eggs typically deposited in soil, plant stems, or other substrates using specialized ovipositor. Nymphs resemble adults but lack fully developed wings and reproductive structures. Number of nymphal instars varies by , typically 5-10. Development time highly variable, from weeks in tropical species to months or years in temperate species with stages.

Behavior

Males produce -specific calling songs by stridulation (rubbing specialized structures on forewings together) to attract females. Songs characterized by pulse rate, frequency, and temporal pattern. Some species exhibit courtship songs and aggressive songs. Phonotaxis well-documented: females move toward male calling songs, with some evidence of male phonotaxis in certain . Communication multimodal in some groups, incorporating vibratory and chemical signals. Subfamily Eneopterinae includes species with high-frequency and ultrasonic calling songs; some have developed vibratory communication and chemical marking . Ant crickets (Myrmecophilinae) exhibit rapid escape behavior and reduced visual systems adapted to subterranean life.

Ecological Role

Significant components of terrestrial as both herbivores and . Serve as prey for numerous vertebrate and predators including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and . Some contribute to nutrient cycling through feeding on detritus. Predatory species such as Metioche vittaticollis function as agents in agricultural systems. Burrowing species modify soil structure.

Human Relevance

Occasional nuisance pests in suburban areas when high. Some damage crops, though generally minor agricultural pests. House cricket (Acheta domesticus) widely used as food for reptiles, birds, and fish; increasingly cultivated for human consumption. Field crickets (Gryllus species) important model organisms for studies of , neurophysiology, genetics, and evolution of communication. Acoustic monitoring of songs used in citizen science and biodiversity assessment. Cultural significance in folklore and literature.

Similar Taxa

  • Tettigoniidae (katydids/bush crickets)Formerly confused with ; distinguished by more slender body, different stridulatory apparatus, and often arboreal habits
  • Oecanthidae (tree crickets)Formerly Oecanthinae of ; elevated to rank; distinguished by slender green body and arboreal habits
  • Trigonidiidae (sword-tail crickets)Formerly Trigonidiinae; distinguished by extremely long ovipositor and often bright coloration
  • Nemobiidae (ground crickets)Formerly Nemobiinae; distinguished by small size and ground-dwelling habits
  • Acrididae (short-horned grasshoppers)Superficially similar body plan but distinguished by short , on first abdominal segment, and activity

Misconceptions

The term '' has been applied broadly to many Ensifera, leading to confusion. Tree crickets, ground crickets, and sword-tail crickets are not 'true crickets' in the modern taxonomic sense despite . The 'cricket on the hearth' popular image typically refers to field crickets (Gryllinae), but many are not associated with human dwellings.

More Details

Taxonomic instability

has undergone extensive revision in the past century. Former classifications (e.g., Imms) included many groups now recognized as separate . Current composition of Gryllidae is significantly reduced from historical circumscriptions.

Acoustic diversity

Eneopterinae exhibits remarkable acoustic diversity, including high-frequency and ultrasonic calling songs in tribe Lebinthini, with harmonic hopping and associated wing ultrastructural modifications. Some Eneopterinae have reduced or lost acoustic signals, developing alternative communication modalities.

Wing structure and function

Forewing ultrastructure varies significantly across . Hexagonal patterns on wing and microtrichia correlate with song frequency in Eneopterinae. Some have lost and song functionality, with tegmina modified for reproductive functions.

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Sources and further reading