Field Cricket (female)

Description:

Field crickets are normally 0.6–1.0 inches in size, depending on the species, and are black with brown wings. Females can be identified by the presence of an ovipositor, a spike-like appendage, about 0.75 inches long, on the hind end of the abdomen between two cerci. This ovipositor allows the female to bury her fertilized eggs into the ground for protection and development. Males are able to produce sounds or chirps. In mid to late summer, males begin chirping. After mating, the female will search for a place to lay her eggs, preferably in warm, damp soil.

Habitat:

Field crickets prefer to live outdoors, but will move inside when environmental conditions become unfavorable. Their method of entry into buildings include open doors and windows as well as cracks in poorly fitted windows, foundations, or siding.

Notes:

Field crickets eat a broad range of feeds: seeds, plants, or insects (dead or alive). They are known to feed on grasshopper eggs, pupae of moths and butterflies and (flies). Occasionally they may rob spiders of their prey.