The symphony of chirping sounds that fill California’s evenings comes from several fascinating cricket species that call the state home.
From urban areas to wild spaces, these remarkable insects create the soundtrack of summer nights while playing crucial roles in the ecosystem.
California hosts diverse cricket species including the common house cricket, field cricket, and camel cricket, each with unique characteristics and habitats that make them well-adapted to the state’s varied environments.
House crickets display distinctive light brown coloring with three dark bands on their heads, while camel crickets stand out with their rounded backs and wingless bodies.
These true crickets belong to a remarkable insect family that has evolved over millions of years, with species discovered from as early as 1773 to as recently as 2018. Each type brings its own unique characteristics to California’s diverse landscape, contributing to both the natural environment and human experience.
Field Crickets (Gryllus Spp.)
Field crickets are dark-colored insects typically measuring between 15-31 millimeters in length. These common insects belong to the genus Gryllus and can be found throughout California.
Field crickets serve multiple ecological roles, acting as both garden pests and valuable food sources for other animals. They are frequently used to feed pet spiders, reptiles, and other insectivorous animals.
Scientists previously thought all U.S. field crickets belonged to a single species until 1957. Research has since revealed multiple distinct species within the Gryllus genus.
California’s field cricket population includes eight different Gryllus species. These species can be challenging to distinguish from one another due to their similar appearances.
In gardens, field crickets may damage both food crops and ornamental plants. Despite this, they play a beneficial role in the ecosystem as prey animals and are popular among anglers as fishing bait.
Female field crickets demonstrate selective behavior when choosing mates, contributing to the species’ continued evolution and survival.
House Cricket
The house cricket, Acheta domesticus, is a light brown insect species that originated in Southwestern Asia. These crickets measure about 3/4 to 1 inch in length and produce distinctive chirping sounds.
In California, these crickets primarily inhabit human-made environments like homes, gardens, and agricultural areas. They thrive in warm, dark spaces and are commonly found near heat sources.
House crickets have become widely distributed due to their popularity as pet food and fishing bait. Between 1950 and 2000, they established themselves as the standard feeder insect for the pet industry.
Their diet consists of:
- Soft plant matter
- Other insects
- Carrion
- Various organic materials
These crickets can be active year-round when living indoors. Males produce their characteristic chirping sound by rubbing their wings together to attract females.
House crickets often inhabit these locations:
- Building foundations
- Garbage dumps
- Basements
- Behind appliances
- Near food storage areas
Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopelmatus Spp.)
Jerusalem crickets are large, distinctive insects that grow between 1.2 to 3 inches in length. Their most notable features include a large, rounded head, powerful jaws, and sturdy legs with spines.
These fascinating creatures are often mistakenly called potato bugs. The most common species in California is Stenopelmatus fuscus, which can be identified by its shiny brown abdomen with dark stripes.
Unlike true crickets, Jerusalem crickets are wingless and move slowly across the ground. They produce unique mating calls by drumming their abdomen against the soil, with each species having its own distinct drumming pattern.
These crickets prefer to live in dry areas with loose, dusty soil. They can typically be found under rocks, along gravel paths, in valleys, and on hillsides throughout California.
Physical Characteristics:
- Large, round head
- Strong mandibles
- Spiny hind legs
- Wingless body
- Brown coloration with dark stripes
Despite their intimidating appearance, Jerusalem crickets are not aggressive insects. They spend most of their time underground, feeding on plant roots and tubers.
Tree Crickets (Oecanthus Spp.)
Tree crickets are distinctive insects known for their long, continuous chirping that can be mistaken for cicadas or frogs. Only male tree crickets produce these calls, which they use to communicate with other crickets in their vicinity.
These delicate crickets are typically pale green or whitish in color. Their slender bodies and long antennae help distinguish them from other cricket species.
Multiple tree cricket species inhabit California, including the four-spotted tree cricket (Oecanthus quadripunctatus) and the prairie tree cricket (O. argentinus).
Species identification relies heavily on examining the black markings on their antennae, particularly on the first two segments. These markings create unique patterns that help differentiate between species.
Tree crickets prefer living in trees, shrubs, and tall vegetation. Their presence often goes unnoticed during daylight hours as they blend well with their surroundings.
A notable recent discovery includes a new tree cricket species found in Modoc County, northeastern California, demonstrating the ongoing scientific discoveries in this genus.
Mole Crickets (Scapteriscus Spp.)
Invasive mole crickets in California belong to the Scapteriscus genus. These subterranean insects have become significant agricultural pests across North America.
Adult mole crickets possess remarkable capabilities for dispersal. They can engage in extended flights and use phonotaxis – the ability to navigate toward specific sounds – to locate potential mates and suitable habitats.
Recent detection in California has raised concerns about their spread. These crickets pose particular threats to turfgrass and agricultural areas.
Scientists track and study mole crickets using specialized equipment. Sound traps with electronic lures help researchers monitor cricket populations and movements. These traps use three key components:
- Collection devices to catch crickets
- Sound sources for attraction
- Power and control electronics
Physical characteristics of mole crickets include:
- Powerful front legs adapted for digging
- Brown to tan coloration
- Size ranging from 3-5 cm in length
- Distinctive shovel-like appendages
The crickets remain primarily underground during daylight hours. They emerge at night to feed and mate, causing damage to plant roots and turf in their wake.
Bush Crickets / Katydids (Tettigoniidae Family)
Katydids belong to a fascinating family of insects that are often mistaken for grasshoppers. These remarkable creatures are distinguished by their extremely long antennae and powerful hind legs.
More than 8,000 species of katydids exist worldwide, with numerous varieties found throughout California. Their size typically ranges from 1 to 3 inches long, and most display various shades of green to blend with foliage.
These insects are primarily nocturnal, becoming active after sunset. During the day, they rest among leaves and branches, where their leaf-like appearance provides excellent camouflage.
Male katydids produce distinctive sounds by rubbing their wings together, creating the familiar “katy-did, katy-didn’t” call that gives them their common name. This sound serves as a mating call to attract females.
Key Characteristics:
- Long, thread-like antennae
- Large jumping hind legs
- Wing-like forewings
- Excellent camouflage abilities
- Strong climbing skills
Katydids are omnivorous, feeding on:
- Leaves and plant matter
- Small insects
- Flowers
- Bark
- Seeds
