Crickets are more than just nighttime musicians—they come in many shapes, sizes, and behaviors. From the well-known House and Field Crickets to the unusual Mole and Camel Crickets, each species plays a unique role in its ecosystem. This guide explores 20 common types of crickets, highlighting how to identify them, where they live, what they eat, and how they behave.
1. House Cricket
The House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) is one of the most well-known crickets, often found indoors and commonly used as food for reptiles and pets. Its familiar chirping is a classic nighttime sound in warm climates.
Identification
- Color: Light brown to yellowish with three dark bands on the head
- Size: 0.6 to 0.8 inches (15–20 mm)
- Wings: Fully developed; males use them to chirp
- Antennae: Long and slender
Habitat
Often found in houses, basements, kitchens, and warm indoor areas. Outdoors, they live in piles of wood, garbage, or under stones.
Diet
Omnivorous – eats plant material, fungi, grains, fruits, and dead insects. Indoors, they may nibble on fabric or paper.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal. Males chirp by rubbing their wings to attract females. House crickets are good jumpers and fliers, and can thrive in warm, dry environments.
2. Field Cricket
The Field Cricket (Gryllus spp.) is a large, dark-colored cricket commonly found in gardens and grassy areas. It’s known for its loud, rhythmic chirping during summer nights.
Identification
- Color: Black or dark brown
- Size: 0.6 to 1 inch (15–25 mm)
- Wings: Short to medium; only males chirp
- Antennae: Long and thread-like
Habitat
Lives in fields, lawns, gardens, roadside vegetation, and under rocks or logs. Sometimes enters buildings during cooler seasons.
Diet
Feeds on plant matter, insects (alive or dead), fruits, seeds, and decaying organic material.
Behavior
Field Crickets are territorial and aggressive toward other males. Males chirp loudly at dusk and night to attract mates. They dig shallow burrows and are very active in warm temperatures.
3. Mole Cricket
The Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpidae family) is a burrowing cricket with enlarged, spade-like front legs designed for digging. It spends most of its life underground and is known for damaging lawns and plant roots.
Identification
- Color: Light brown to tan
- Size: 1.2 to 2 inches (30–50 mm)
- Body: Cylindrical and velvety with large front legs
- Wings: Present, but flight varies by species
Habitat
Found in moist soil, turf, gardens, and agricultural fields. Prefers sandy or loamy soils where it can easily tunnel.
Diet
Feeds on roots, tubers, grass stems, larvae, and organic matter. Can cause significant damage to lawns and vegetable crops.
Behavior
Mole Crickets are nocturnal and fossorial (adapted to digging). They tunnel through soil and may surface after rain. Males call from burrows during mating season using deep, resonant songs.
4. Camel Cricket
The Camel Cricket (Rhaphidophoridae family), also known as the cave cricket, is wingless and has a humped back like a camel. It’s often found in cool, damp, and dark environments.
Identification
- Color: Pale brown with mottled patterns
- Size: 0.5 to 1.5 inches (12–38 mm)
- Wings: Absent
- Legs: Very long hind legs with a hunchback appearance
Habitat
Prefers basements, caves, crawl spaces, under logs, and other moist, dark places. Common in homes during humid seasons.
Diet
Feeds on fungi, decaying organic matter, fabric, paper, and even dead insects. Known to eat clothing and cardboard indoors.
Behavior
Camel Crickets are silent and jumpy, moving quickly when startled. They do not chirp and rely on sudden hopping for escape. Drawn to moisture and shade, they are harmless but startling when disturbed.
5. Tree Cricket
Tree Crickets (Oecanthinae subfamily) are slender, pale crickets known for their musical, high-pitched chirping that intensifies with temperature. They’re often found on shrubs and trees during summer evenings.
Identification
- Color: Pale green or whitish with long legs and antennae
- Size: 0.5 to 1 inch (13–25 mm)
- Wings: Long, transparent, and slightly raised
- Body: Slender and delicate
Habitat
Live in trees, bushes, and tall plants in meadows, forests, and gardens. Prefer warm, humid areas with plenty of foliage.
Diet
Feed on pollen, nectar, small insects, and plant tissue, including tender leaves and stems.
Behavior
Tree Crickets are active at dusk and night, with males producing a steady tone to attract females. The chirp rate increases as the temperature rises, making them natural thermometers. They move slowly and are harmless to humans.
6. Jerusalem Cricket
The Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopelmatidae family), also called “potato bug,” is a large, flightless cricket with a round head and striped abdomen. Despite its intimidating look, it’s not dangerous.
Identification
- Color: Yellowish-tan with dark brown stripes on the abdomen
- Size: 1.5 to 2.5 inches (38–63 mm)
- Wings: None
- Head: Large, round, and shiny
Habitat
Prefers loose soil, under rocks, logs, and compost piles in the western U.S. and Mexico. Often found burrowing underground or emerging at night.
Diet
Feeds on decaying plant matter, roots, tubers, insects, and fungi. Occasionally damages root crops like potatoes.
Behavior
Nocturnal and slow-moving, Jerusalem Crickets dig with their front legs and emit a foul odor when threatened. They do not chirp, but can produce a low drumming sound by striking the ground. Though they can bite when handled, they are not venomous.
7. Snowy Tree Cricket
The Snowy Tree Cricket (Oecanthus fultoni) is a small, pale green cricket known for its clear, rhythmic chirping, often referred to as the “thermometer cricket” because its song varies predictably with temperature.
Identification
- Color: Light green with pale wings and a slightly flattened body
- Size: 0.6 to 0.8 inches (15–20 mm)
- Wings: Transparent, held roof-like over the body
- Antennae: Long and fine, often longer than the body
Habitat
Common in orchards, shrubs, trees, and gardens, especially in temperate regions across North America. Prefers bushy plants and small trees where it can hide and sing.
Diet
Feeds on leaves, flower petals, nectar, and small insects, occasionally nibbling on soft fruits and buds in orchards.
Behavior
Snowy Tree Crickets are active at night, especially from late summer through fall. Males chirp by rubbing their wings together, and the rate of their chirps can be used to estimate the ambient temperature. They are docile, non-jumping, and often go unnoticed despite their song.
8. Two-spotted Tree Cricket
The Two-spotted Tree Cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) is a delicate cricket species named for the two black dots on its first set of wings. Its soft, trilling call blends with nighttime sounds in woodlands and gardens.
Identification
- Color: Pale green with a narrow body and visible black spots on wings
- Size: 0.5 to 0.7 inches (13–18 mm)
- Wings: Semi-transparent with two clear dark spots
- Antennae: Very long and thin
Habitat
Found in deciduous forests, shrubs, wooded gardens, and edge habitats throughout eastern North America. Prefers leafy environments with moderate humidity.
Diet
Consumes soft plant tissue, flower petals, nectar, and small insects. Sometimes seen feeding on pollen or the outer skin of ripe fruit.
Behavior
Two-spotted Tree Crickets are gentle and reclusive, mostly heard rather than seen. Males produce a musical trill by wing vibration at dusk and night. They do not hop far and are harmless, often playing an important role in garden ecosystems by feeding on small pest insects.
9. Roesel’s Bush-cricket
Roesel’s Bush-cricket (Roeseliana roeselii) is a robust, short-winged cricket native to Europe and western Asia, known for its continuous buzzing call that sounds like a high-pitched electrical hum.
Identification
- Color: Olive green or brown with a distinctive yellow or cream-colored border around the thorax
- Size: 0.6 to 1 inch (15–25 mm)
- Wings: Typically short in females; long-winged forms appear in warm summers
- Antennae: Long and thread-like
Habitat
Prefers tall grasses, meadows, ditches, and roadsides, especially in moist lowland areas with plenty of vegetation.
Diet
Omnivorous – feeds on grasses, leaves, aphids, small caterpillars, and other soft-bodied insects.
Behavior
Mostly diurnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), Roesel’s Bush-cricket is more often heard than seen. Its call is a long, mechanical trill. It climbs plants for feeding and singing, and rarely hops far, preferring to stay hidden in dense grass.
10. Sword-bearing Cricket
The Sword-bearing Cricket (Neoconocephalus ensiger) is a katydid-like species with an extremely long ovipositor in females that resembles a sword. It’s found in North America and is most active on warm summer nights.
Identification
- Color: Bright green with long, narrow wings
- Size: 1.2 to 2 inches (30–50 mm)
- Ovipositor: Long and straight in females, often longer than the body
- Antennae: Long and filamentous
Habitat
Common in grassy fields, wetlands, and woodland edges with tall vegetation. Often found perched on blades of grass or stems.
Diet
Feeds on leaf tissue, grass blades, flowers, and small insects. Occasionally consumes other katydids or dead arthropods.
Behavior
Sword-bearing Crickets are nocturnal, with males producing a loud, whirring buzz that can carry long distances. Females locate males by sound. They fly well, often moving between patches of grassland. Mating and egg-laying occur in late summer, with eggs deposited deep in plant stems or soil.
11. Texas Bush Cricket
The Texas Bush Cricket (Amblycorypha alexanderi) is a medium-sized katydid-like cricket native to the south-central United States. It is known for its soft, buzzy calls and preference for dense shrubs and tall grasses.
Identification
- Color: Light green body with slightly translucent wings
- Size: 1 to 1.5 inches (25–38 mm)
- Wings: Leaf-like and rounded
- Antennae: Very long, often longer than body
Habitat
Found in thickets, weedy fields, gardens, and forest edges, especially in warm, humid environments with tall herbaceous plants.
Diet
Feeds mostly on leaves, flower petals, pollen, and occasionally small insects.
Behavior
Primarily nocturnal, males produce a short, buzzy trill during summer nights. They are not strong fliers, often staying in dense vegetation. During the day, they remain hidden, relying on camouflage.
12. Southern Ground Cricket
The Southern Ground Cricket (Allonemobius socius) is a small, dark-colored cricket commonly found in the southeastern United States, especially in moist or shaded ground-level habitats.
Identification
- Color: Dark brown to nearly black with pale legs
- Size: 0.3 to 0.5 inches (8–13 mm)
- Wings: Short and rounded
- Antennae: Slender and nearly body-length
Habitat
Prefers moist leaf litter, grass bases, under logs, and shaded garden beds. Often found in lawns, wooded paths, and stream banks.
Diet
Eats decaying plant material, small insects, fungi, and organic debris, playing an important role in soil decomposition.
Behavior
Southern Ground Crickets are ground-dwelling and rarely climb. Males produce low-pitched, irregular chirps at night. They are quiet and elusive, using stillness and cover to avoid predators. They contribute to the decomposer community in many ecosystems.
13. Pacific Field Cricket
The Pacific Field Cricket (Teleogryllus oceanicus) is a nocturnal cricket species found along the coastal regions of the Pacific, particularly in Hawaii, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It’s known for its bold chirping and adaptability to urban environments.
Identification
- Color: Shiny black to dark brown with lighter markings on the thorax
- Size: 0.8 to 1.2 inches (20–30 mm)
- Wings: Present in males for chirping; shorter in females
- Antennae: Long and thin, often longer than the body
Habitat
Common in lawns, gardens, roadside areas, urban lots, and coastal vegetation. Often found near buildings where artificial lights attract them at night.
Diet
Feeds on a wide variety of plant material, decaying organic matter, and small invertebrates. Known to scavenge and adapt to available food sources.
Behavior
Pacific Field Crickets are strong chirpers, with males producing a rapid series of loud, rhythmic songs. They are active at night and may be seen hopping or crawling near porches and sidewalks. They can rapidly colonize disturbed areas and are highly adaptable.
14. Southeastern Field Cricket
The Southeastern Field Cricket (Gryllus rubens) is a widespread cricket in the southeastern United States, known for its deep, musical chirps. It’s very similar in appearance to other Gryllus species but distinguishable by its call.
Identification
- Color: Uniformly black or very dark brown
- Size: 0.8 to 1.1 inches (20–28 mm)
- Wings: Fully developed in both sexes, though only males chirp
- Antennae: Long, flexible, and threadlike
Habitat
Found in fields, roadside ditches, gardens, forest edges, and under logs or rocks. Prefers moist environments but can tolerate a wide range.
Diet
Consumes grasses, weed seeds, decaying vegetation, small insects, and fungi. Also known to scavenge if needed.
Behavior
Males sing at dusk and into the night with a slow, deep trill. These crickets are ground-dwelling and prefer to hide under natural debris during the day. Active in the warmer months, especially during late summer mating season.
15. Common True Cricket
The Common True Cricket (Gryllus campestris) is one of Europe’s best-known field crickets, recognized by its deep, mellow chirping and burrow-dwelling behavior. It has a powerful presence in folklore and nature due to its sound.
Identification
- Color: Matte black with a slightly glossy head and thorax
- Size: 0.8 to 1.2 inches (20–30 mm)
- Wings: Males have short forewings for chirping; females have longer wings and a long ovipositor
- Antennae: Long and wiry
Habitat
Inhabits meadows, dry grasslands, and gardens, often near its own burrow. Prefers sunny, well-drained soils in open country areas.
Diet
Feeds on grasses, small plants, aphids, soft-bodied insects, and decomposing matter. Occasionally scavenges dead insects.
Behavior
Common True Crickets are burrow dwellers, with males singing from just outside their tunnel entrance to attract females. They are active during warm months, and their song is most prominent in late spring and early summer. Territorial and fierce in mating competition.
16. Silent Cricket
The Silent Cricket (Gryllus assimilis – wingless strain) is a variant of the Jamaican Field Cricket bred or evolved with reduced or non-functional wings, meaning it cannot chirp. It’s often used in reptile feed due to its quiet nature.
Identification
- Color: Dark brown to black with faint striping
- Size: 0.7 to 1 inch (18–25 mm)
- Wings: Very short or absent; cannot produce sound
- Antennae: Long and thin
Habitat
Usually found in controlled environments, such as pet shops, cricket farms, or sometimes gardens and fields if released or escaped.
Diet
Omnivorous—feeds on vegetable scraps, grains, decaying plant material, and insects. Non-picky eaters and easy to maintain in captivity.
Behavior
These crickets are docile, quiet, and fast-growing, making them ideal for feeding reptiles and amphibians. Due to lack of song, they do not attract mates via chirping, relying instead on close-range interactions. They hop and crawl actively and avoid light.
17. Sand Treader Cricket
The Sand Treader Cricket (Ammobaenetes spp.) is a rare, burrowing cricket native to arid desert regions of North America. It’s specially adapted to life in sand dunes and dry basins, making it quite unique among crickets.
Identification
- Color: Pale tan to sandy brown with a matte texture
- Size: 0.6 to 1 inch (15–25 mm)
- Wings: Absent or very short
- Antennae: Long and flexible
Habitat
Exclusively found in desert sand dunes, dry lake beds, and arid scrublands, often under the surface during the day to avoid heat.
Diet
Feeds on organic debris, desert plant matter, and decaying material in the sand. Sometimes consumes fungus or algae in microhabitats.
Behavior
Nocturnal and burrow-dwelling, the Sand Treader Cricket emerges at night to forage. It moves quickly across loose sand, leaving behind faint trails. It doesn’t chirp and uses vibrations and scent cues for communication and navigation.
18. Greenhouse Camel Cricket
The Greenhouse Camel Cricket (Diestrammena asynamora) is a wingless, hump-backed cricket introduced from Asia. It’s commonly found in greenhouses, basements, and crawlspaces, especially in humid environments.
Identification
- Color: Light brown or tan with darker mottling
- Size: 0.5 to 1.2 inches (13–30 mm)
- Wings: Absent
- Legs: Very long and spider-like hind legs
Habitat
Found in moist, dark, enclosed areas such as basements, sheds, greenhouses, and under decks. Can survive indoors throughout the year.
Diet
Feeds on mildew, fungi, dead insects, fabrics, paper, and plant debris. In captivity, it will eat vegetables and organic leftovers.
Behavior
Active at night and does not chirp. Known for its sudden, high jumps when disturbed. Harmless but can be startling indoors. Sometimes forms small indoor colonies in damp locations.
19. Northern Mole Cricket
The Northern Mole Cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) is a burrowing cricket species found primarily in eastern North America. It is known for its large digging forelegs and underground lifestyle.
Identification
- Color: Light brown to gray with a velvety body
- Size: 1 to 1.5 inches (25–38 mm)
- Forelegs: Wide and spade-like, ideal for digging
- Wings: Present but flight is limited
Habitat
Prefers moist soils, often near ponds, streams, irrigated lawns, and gardens. Commonly found underground in shallow tunnels.
Diet
Eats roots, stems, larvae, and decaying plant material, occasionally damaging turfgrass and garden plants.
Behavior
Nocturnal and highly fossorial, this cricket constructs complex burrow systems. Males sing from tunnel entrances to attract females. Despite their digging habit, they are not considered major pests in most areas.
20. Tawny Mole Cricket
The Tawny Mole Cricket (Neoscapteriscus vicinus) is a major turf pest in the southeastern U.S., especially Florida. It is an invasive species from South America and well-known for damaging lawns and golf courses.
Identification
- Color: Yellow-brown to tawny
- Size: 1.2 to 1.5 inches (30–38 mm)
- Body: Cylindrical and velvety, with flattened digging forelegs
- Wings: Fully developed; capable of flying long distances
Habitat
Thrives in sandy or moist soil, often in lawns, sports fields, golf courses, and sod farms.
Diet
Feeds on grass roots, stems, and small insects. Causes visible turf damage, such as dead patches, raised soil, and tunnels.
Behavior
Tawny Mole Crickets are strong diggers and form extensive subterranean galleries. Males chirp from these burrows at dusk. They can fly to new areas, contributing to their spread. Control often requires biological or chemical treatment.