Colorado’s diverse landscapes host a surprising variety of cricket species, from the common field cricket to the unusual Jerusalem cricket.
The state is home to at least 26 different types of grasshoppers and crickets, including camel crickets, field crickets, house crickets, Jerusalem crickets, and northern mole crickets.
These musical insects thrive throughout the Rocky Mountains and Western North America, each with their own unique characteristics and sounds.
What many people don’t realize is that some insects called “crickets” aren’t true crickets at all.
For example, the Mormon crickets invading western Colorado are actually a type of katydid, despite their name.
Meanwhile, Colorado boasts five species of true tree crickets, including the Prairie Tree Cricket and Western Tree Cricket, which add their distinctive songs to summer evenings.
From the common varieties that chirp in your garden to the specialized species that inhabit specific ecological niches, Colorado’s cricket population is as varied as the state’s topography.
Whether you’re encountering them in your home, garden, or during a hike through the wilderness, understanding these fascinating insects can enhance your appreciation of Colorado’s rich natural heritage.
Fall Field Cricket (Gryllus Pennsylvanicus)
The Fall Field Cricket is a common insect found across much of North America, including Colorado.
This large, black cricket with a round head produces the classic chirping sound many associate with summer evenings.
Unlike some cricket species, the Fall Field Cricket has fully developed wings but rarely flies.
They conserve energy by limiting flight, despite having the physical capability to do so.
These crickets are often confused with Spring Field Crickets (Gryllus veletis) because they look nearly identical.
The two species have the same morphology, color, and song but differ in their life cycles.
Physical Characteristics:
- Large, black body
- Round head
- Fully developed wings
- Strong jumping legs
The Fall Field Cricket earns its name from its life cycle. Adults are most active during late summer and fall in Colorado, unlike Spring Field Crickets that mature earlier in the year.
Their distinctive chirping comes from males rubbing their wings together to attract females.
This quintessential cricket chirp creates the soundtrack of late summer evenings across Colorado.
In Colorado’s ecosystem, these crickets serve as an important food source for many predators including birds, small mammals, and reptiles.
Mormon Cricket (Anabrus Simplex)
The Mormon cricket is not actually a cricket at all. It’s a large, flightless katydid native to western North America, including Colorado. These insects have a reddish-brown coloration and can grow up to 2 inches long.
Despite their name, Mormon crickets cannot chirp like true crickets. They make noise by rubbing their wings together, creating a soft buzzing sound instead of the familiar cricket chirp.
Mormon crickets are known for forming massive swarms or “bands” that travel on foot. These bands can contain thousands of insects moving together across the landscape, consuming vegetation in their path.
These insects eat a varied diet including:
- Native grasses
- Shrubs
- Herbaceous plants
- Sometimes even small animals or insects
In Colorado, Mormon crickets have become a significant agricultural concern. They’re currently hatching on the Western Slope, creating waves of insects marching through parts of the state.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture considers them a significant threat to the state’s crops due to their voracious appetite. When these insects swarm, they can quickly devastate agricultural fields.
Management strategies include monitoring population levels, using targeted insecticides, and establishing barrier treatments to protect valuable crops. Early detection is crucial for effective control of Mormon cricket outbreaks.
Robust Camel Cricket (Udeopsylla Robusta)
The Robust Camel Cricket is a distinctive insect found in Colorado. This cricket stands out due to its larger size and stockier build compared to other camel crickets.
Unlike its relatives in the Ceuthophilus genus, this species has a notably stout body and larger head. These physical characteristics make it easy to identify in the field.
Udeopsylla robusta has interesting feeding habits. They have been observed feeding on roadkilled grasshoppers, showing their opportunistic nature as scavengers.
Physical Characteristics:
- Large, robust body
- Distinctive large head
- Stouter than other camel crickets
- Humpbacked appearance (typical of camel crickets)
These crickets are primarily nocturnal, hiding in dark, damp places during daylight hours. They prefer habitats such as caves, animal burrows, and other sheltered locations.
In Colorado, they can be found in various habitats across the state. Their ability to adapt to different environments has helped them establish populations throughout the region.
Photographic evidence of these crickets has been documented by researchers from Colorado State University, helping to track their distribution in the state.
Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, Robust Camel Crickets are harmless to humans. They play an important role in the ecosystem as decomposers, helping break down organic matter.
