Cricket
Gryllidae
Quick answer
Crickets are jumping insects closely related to grasshoppers, best known for the chirping sound males make to attract mates. They are mostly active at night and feed on plants, fungi, and small insects. Crickets are also widely raised as food for pets and, increasingly, for people. Most live for about a year or less.
Cricket facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Family Gryllidae |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore (plants, fungi, small insects) |
| Habitat | Grasslands, forests, gardens, buildings |
| Lifespan | About 1 year or less |
| Size | About 1–5 cm depending on species |
| Sound | Males chirp by rubbing their wings |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gryllidae |
Where it lives
Grasslands, forests, and gardens across warmer regions of the world, on every continent except Antarctica.
The familiar chirp
The chirping associated with crickets is made mostly by males, who rub a sharp edge on one wing against a rough surface on the other, a process called stridulation. The calls attract females and warn off rival males. Because chirping rate rises with temperature, the calls can even give a rough sense of how warm it is.
Diet and behavior
Crickets are omnivores that eat plant matter, fungi, and small insects, scavenging a wide range of foods. They are mostly active at night, hiding by day under stones, logs, or vegetation. Like their grasshopper relatives, crickets have strong hind legs and can jump to escape danger.
Crickets and people
Crickets are raised in large numbers as a reliable food source for pet reptiles, amphibians, and birds, and they are increasingly farmed as a protein source for human food in some regions. In several cultures their chirping is seen as a pleasant sound or even a sign of good luck.
Life cycle and habitat
Crickets develop through incomplete metamorphosis, hatching as nymphs that resemble small wingless adults and molting as they grow. They live in grasslands, forests, gardens, and sometimes inside buildings, and are found across much of the world in warmer climates.
Frequently asked questions about the Cricket
Why do crickets chirp?
Male crickets chirp to attract females and to ward off other males. They make the sound by rubbing their wings together, a process called stridulation.
What do crickets eat?
Crickets are omnivores that eat plant material, fungi, and small insects. They are scavengers that will feed on a wide variety of organic matter.
How long do crickets live?
Most crickets live for about a year or less. They hatch as nymphs, grow through several molts, and the adults usually die off after the breeding season.
Can you eat crickets?
Yes. Crickets are edible and are farmed as a protein source for people in some parts of the world. They are also widely raised as food for pet reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Do crickets bite?
Large crickets can give a small nip if handled, but they are harmless to people. They have no venom and rely on jumping to escape rather than biting in defense.
What is the difference between a cricket and a grasshopper?
Crickets and grasshoppers are related jumping insects, but crickets usually have longer antennae, are active mainly at night, and chirp by rubbing their wings, while grasshoppers are active by day and rub a leg against a wing.
