Facts about Cricket Insect

Crickets are part of the family Gryllidae. These are insects that are partially related to grasshoppers. These have a close affinity with katydids or bush crickets. There are numerous species of these insects. There antennae are long and bodies are flattened.

Facts about cricket insects

They have a good vision and hearing. Their compound eyes enable them to see in several directions simultaneously. These are said to foretell good luck. All those who are fortunate enough to hear their songs are said to be blessed. In many countries in the world, if a cricket exists in the house, it is treated with respect. They are placed in small cages and given food and water. It is thought that their existence brings good luck. Although crickets have wings, a large number of them do not fly. They have very small wings and these lie across the back. Along with time their legs have been developed to jump at great heights. The size varies from ½ to 1 inch. One of the species is smaller then ¼ inch. The common house cricket is not bigger than the ½ inch range. The field cricket is on an average 1 inch in length. The lifespan of a cricket is less than one year. This span increases if there is someone to provide them a home, water and food. In the winter, the female searches for a good spot to lay the eggs, usually on the ground. In the spring, the nascent cricket hatches and resembles the adult cricket, except the wings. Only after shedding the skin several times, they develop new wings. Crops and gardens are grossly affected by black field crickets. These can also attack dwellings in autumn. Twigs and berry canes are destroyed by pale green tree crickets.

Types of crickets

Field crickets are black in color, ½ to 1-1 ¼ inches long and very strong than house cricket. These are generally found in pastures and meadows. These damage field crops like wheat, oats, rye and alfalfa. These also ingest dead or weakened crickets, cutworms, grasshoppers and other insects. Textiles of linen, silk, wool, cotton and furs are also annihilated by these.

The House crickets is ¾ to 1 inch in length, light yellowish brown in color and has three darker brown bands on the head. As they like warmth, they are found near the fireplace, basement and kitchen. In warm climate, this type of cricket stays in garbage dumps. In cold climate, it can be seen in the dumps, houses, sheds and other shelters. These are nocturnal, omnivorous and have an affinity for beer and sweetened vinegar.

Camel or cave crickets are ¾ inches in length, tan in color, wingless and hump-backed. These are generally found in cool, damp and dark areas. They are not attracted towards light.

Crickets chirping

The chirp of crickets can be heard when the left forewing is raised to a 45 degree angle and rubbed against the upper hind edge of the right forewing. This sound creating action is termed as stridulation. Cricket songs are of two types : a calling song and a courting song. The former is used to attract females and repel other males. This is very loud. The latter is very quiet and is used when the female cricket is close. Depending on the species and the temperature of the environment, crickets chirp at different rates.