House Cricket

Acheta domesticus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Infraorder: Gryllidea
Family: Gryllidae
Subfamily: Gryllinae
Genus: Acheta
Species: domesticus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acheta domesticus: //əˈkiːtə dəˈmɛstɪkəs//

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

Images

Mapa de la distribució de l'espècie Acheta domesticus by Anroan. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Acheta-domestica-1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.1 es license.

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

Acheta domesticus 1 1 by Franziska Walz. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Acheta domesticus - hinge 4x by Philipp Weigell. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) by Kiloueka. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Acheta domesticus, or the house cricket, is a common species often found in human dwellings, recognized for its omnivorous diet and potential as a food source.

Physical Characteristics

Body length 16-21 mm; head light brown with three black transverse bands; pronotum light brown with dark markings; brown and black wings extending beyond abdomen; legs brown with spines on hind tibiae; ovipositor straight and thin, shorter than the abdomen; juveniles are smaller and wingless.

Identification Tips

Males have prominent cerci and can be distinguished by their calling song, while females have a needle-like ovipositor that is approximately the same length as the cerci.

Habitat

Found in and around houses, buildings, and in garbage dumps throughout the year.

Distribution

Wild populations are in the eastern United States (except peninsular Florida), southern Ontario, Quebec, and southern California.

Diet

Omnivorous, consuming flowers, leaves, fruits, grasses and other insects; in captivity accepts fruits, vegetables, grains, pet foods, and commercial cricket food.

Life Cycle

Takes two to three months to complete the life cycle at temperatures of 26 to 32 °C (79 to 90 °F); juveniles resemble adults but are smaller and wingless.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid on damp substrates such as sand or moss. Males produce a calling song to attract females.

Ecosystem Role

Natural pest control and a food source for many species.

Economic Impact

Widespread as a feeder insect in the pet and research industries; increasingly recognized as food for human consumption in various regions.

Cultural Significance

Kept as pets historically in China and Japan.

Health Concerns

Affected by cricket paralysis virus, which has impacted breeding industries; considered safe for human consumption under certain regulations in Europe.

Evolution

Probably native to southwestern Asia, widely distributed by humans.