You’ll encounter more cricket species in Missouri than you might expect.
While most people recognize the familiar chirping that fills summer evenings, the most common house-invading crickets in Missouri are field crickets (Gryllus spp.), house crickets (Acheta domesticus), ground crickets (Nemobius fasciatus), camel or cave crickets (Ceuthophilus spp.) and mole crickets (Neocurtilla hexadactyla).
This comprehensive guide will help you identify each species you’re likely to find in your Missouri backyard, basement, or garden.
Field Cricket (Gryllus spp.)
Field crickets represent the most recognizable types of crickets in Missouri. They have large heads, hind legs adapted for jumping, and stout, unmovable spines on the hind legs. Species may be black, brown, or tan. These robust insects typically measure 0.5 to 1 inch in length.
Key Identification Features:
- Shiny black or dark brown coloration
- Large, prominent head
- Strong hind legs built for jumping
- Distinctive chirping pattern created by wing rubbing
The several members of genus Gryllus are usually shiny black, and the different species are often best separated by singing patterns. You’ll most commonly hear field crickets during warm evenings from late spring through early fall.
Habitat Preferences:
- Grassy areas and fields
- Garden borders
- Under porches and decking
- Occasionally enter homes seeking warmth
Field crickets feed on plant matter, small insects, and organic debris. Learn more about field cricket behavior from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
House Cricket (Acheta domesticus)
House crickets earn their name through their tendency to invade homes, especially during cooler months. House crickets are the most common species of cricket found in the area and are yellowish brown in color and they have three bands going across their head.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
- Yellowish-brown to tan coloration
- Three distinct dark bands across the head
- Smaller than field crickets (0.75 inches maximum)
- More slender build compared to field crickets
Quick Identification Tip: If you find a cricket indoors with yellowish coloring and head bands, you’re likely looking at a house cricket.
House crickets prefer warm, humid environments and often gravitate toward basements, laundry rooms, and kitchens. They’re omnivorous, feeding on fabric, paper, plant matter, and food scraps.
Ground Cricket (Allonemobius spp. and others)
Ground crickets represent some of the smallest cricket species you’ll encounter in Missouri. Collectively, the ground crickets are characterized by their small size and black or dark brown bodies and by their loud, musical trills and chirps.
Physical Features:
- Very small size (0.25 to 0.5 inches)
- Dark brown to black coloration
- Proportionally large antennae
- Rapid, continuous chirping pattern
Despite their tiny stature, ground crickets produce surprisingly loud songs. You’ll often hear them before you see them, as they blend seamlessly with soil and leaf litter.
Preferred Locations:
- Under rocks and logs
- In leaf litter
- Along garden edges
- Near compost piles
Their diet consists primarily of decaying organic matter and small insects.
Tree Cricket (Oecanthus spp.)
Tree crickets present a fascinating contrast to their ground-dwelling relatives. Tree crickets, or pale bush crickets, are a subfamily of crickets that are little seen but often heard. True to their name, instead of living on the ground, they live in trees, bushes, and tall herbaceous plants at least a foot or so above the ground.
Identification Markers:
- Pale green or whitish coloration
- Delicate, translucent appearance
- Narrow head structure
- Thin femurs on hind legs
Tree crickets are masterful at camouflage, blending perfectly with plant foliage. Their calls are often mistaken for electronic sounds due to their pure, sustained tones.
Behavioral Notes:
| Species Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Song Pattern | Continuous, musical trill |
| Activity Time | Primarily nocturnal |
| Temperature Correlation | Chirp rate increases with warmth |
| Feeding Habits | Aphids, plant matter, nectar |
Explore detailed tree cricket information from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Snowy Tree Cricket (Oecanthus fultoni)
The snowy tree cricket stands out among tree cricket species for its distinctive appearance and behavior. These pale, almost translucent insects measure approximately 0.5 inches in length.
Notable Features:
- Nearly white or very pale green body
- Extremely delicate wing structure
- Produces the most musical cricket songs
- Often called the “thermometer cricket”
Temperature Trick: Count the snowy tree cricket’s chirps for 13 seconds, then add 40 to estimate the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Snowy tree crickets prefer shrubs and small trees, particularly those with broad leaves that provide adequate shelter and hunting grounds for small insects.
Four-spotted Tree Cricket (Oecanthus quadripunctatus)
This species derives its name from four distinctive dark spots visible on its wings. Four-spotted tree crickets typically inhabit taller vegetation than their snowy relatives.
Key Identifiers:
- Four dark spots on forewings
- Slightly larger than snowy tree crickets
- Pale green to yellowish coloration
- Prefers higher perches in trees
These crickets feed primarily on aphids and small soft-bodied insects, making them beneficial garden residents.
Narrow-winged Tree Cricket (Oecanthus niveus)
Narrow-winged tree crickets showcase the most streamlined wing design among Missouri tree crickets. Their wings appear proportionally smaller compared to their body size.
Physical Distinctions:
- Noticeably narrow wing profile
- Pale green coloration with subtle darker markings
- Slightly more robust build than other tree crickets
- Antennae nearly twice body length
This species demonstrates remarkable climbing ability, often found in the upper canopy of mature trees where they hunt for prey and seek mates.
Northern Mole Cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla)
Mole crickets represent perhaps the most unusual types of crickets in Missouri. The northern mole cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) is found in Missouri and is usually considered more of a curiosity than a pest.
Unique Characteristics:
- Powerful front legs adapted for digging
- Cylindrical, mole-like body shape
- Brown to grayish-brown coloration
- Size ranges from 0.75 to 1.3 inches
Fascinating Fact: Mole crickets can tunnel up to 20 feet of underground passages in a single night.
Its range extends from the southern reaches of eastern Canada and through the eastern and central United States. These remarkable insects spend most of their lives underground, creating extensive tunnel systems.
Behavioral Patterns:
- Primarily subterranean lifestyle
- Surface activity mainly at night
- Feed on plant roots and soil insects
- Create distinctive raised tunnels in lawns
Jumping Bush Cricket (Orocharis saltator)
Jumping bush crickets combine characteristics of both tree and ground crickets. These medium-sized insects excel at rapid movement through dense vegetation.
Identifying Features:
- Mottled brown and tan coloration
- Exceptional jumping ability
- Compact, muscular build
- Prominent hind leg development
Their camouflage patterns make them particularly difficult to spot among dried grasses and brush. Jumping bush crickets prefer edge habitats where forests meet open areas.
Handsome Trig (Red-headed Bush Cricket) (Phyllopalpus pulchellus)
Despite their small size, handsome trigs possess striking coloration that makes them memorable once spotted. The species name “pulchellus” means “beautiful little one.”
Visual Characteristics:
- Bright reddish-brown head
- Dark body with lighter markings
- Very small size (0.25 inches maximum)
- Distinctive wing patterns in males
Habitat Preferences:
- Low shrubs and herbaceous plants
- Garden borders and naturalized areas
- Areas with mixed vegetation heights
- Moisture-retentive locations
These tiny crickets produce surprisingly complex songs for their size, with intricate patterns that vary by individual.
Cave Cricket (Ceuthophilus spp.) – Camel Crickets
Cave crickets, also known as camel crickets, represent the most unusual-looking types of crickets in Missouri. Camel crickets and cave crickets are odd-looking, hump-backed insects that are commonly found in caves, basements, cellars, and similar places.
Distinctive Features:
- Pronounced hump-backed appearance
- No wings (cannot produce sound)
- Extremely long antennae
- Tan to brown coloration with darker banding
Common Locations:
- Basement corners and storage areas
- Crawl spaces under homes
- Natural caves and rock crevices
- Garage storage areas
Unlike other cricket species, cave crickets cannot chirp due to their lack of wings. They communicate through vibrations and chemical signals instead.
Management Considerations:
- Reduce moisture levels in basements
- Seal entry points around foundation
- Remove cluttered storage areas
- Use dehumidifiers in problem areas
Find comprehensive information about camel crickets from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Texas Bush Cricket (Amblycorypha alexanderi)
Texas bush crickets extend their range into southern Missouri, representing the northernmost populations of this species. These large, green insects inhabit dense shrubland and forest edges.
Physical Description:
- Bright green coloration
- Large size (1 to 1.5 inches)
- Broad, leaf-like wings
- Robust build with strong legs
Texas bush crickets demonstrate remarkable camouflage abilities, often remaining motionless when threatened. Their green coloration provides perfect concealment among fresh foliage.
Seasonal Activity:
- Most active during late summer
- Peak calling occurs in early evening
- Overwinter as eggs in plant stems
- Single generation per year in Missouri
Cricket Identification Quick Reference
When identifying Missouri crickets, consider these key factors:
Size Categories:
- Large (1+ inches): Field crickets, Texas bush crickets
- Medium (0.5-1 inch): House crickets, mole crickets
- Small (0.25-0.5 inches): Ground crickets, tree crickets, handsome trigs
Habitat Clues:
- Indoor: House crickets, cave crickets
- Ground level: Field crickets, ground crickets
- Above ground: Tree crickets, bush crickets
- Underground: Mole crickets
Sound Patterns:
- Intermittent chirps: Field and house crickets
- Continuous trills: Ground and tree crickets
- No sound: Cave crickets (wingless)
Pro Tip: Use a flashlight with red filter for nighttime cricket observation. Red light doesn’t disturb their natural behavior patterns.
Seasonal Cricket Activity in Missouri
Understanding when different cricket species are most active helps with identification and management:
Spring (March-May):
- Overwintering adults become active
- Early ground cricket emergence
- Mole cricket tunneling activity increases
Summer (June-August):
- Peak activity for most species
- Tree cricket populations mature
- House cricket indoor invasions begin
Fall (September-November):
- Final reproductive push before winter
- Cave cricket movement toward shelter
- Egg-laying period for most species
Winter (December-February):
- Most species dormant as eggs
- Cave crickets remain active indoors
- Occasional warm-weather activity
Cricket Benefits and Concerns
Most types of crickets in Missouri provide ecological benefits while causing minimal problems:
Beneficial Aspects:
- Control pest insect populations
- Serve as food source for birds and spiders
- Contribute to organic matter decomposition
- Provide natural soundscape
Potential Issues:
- Fabric damage from house crickets
- Noise disturbance during peak seasons
- Minor plant damage from feeding
- Occasional indoor invasions
Natural Management Strategies:
- Maintain proper moisture levels
- Remove outdoor lighting near entrances
- Seal foundation cracks and gaps
- Keep vegetation trimmed away from structures
Understanding these remarkable insects enhances your appreciation for Missouri’s diverse cricket fauna. Whether you’re dealing with the melodious evening concerts or occasional indoor visitors, recognizing different species helps you make informed decisions about coexistence with these fascinating creatures.
For additional resources on Missouri wildlife identification, visit the University of Missouri Extension or explore the comprehensive Songs of Insects database for audio identification tools.
