Crickets are fascinating insects known for their chirping songs, long antennae, and diverse behaviours. With over 900 species worldwide, crickets come in many forms—from ground dwellers and tree singers to silent cave hoppers. While most people are familiar with the house or field cricket, many lesser-known species contribute to the nighttime soundscape in forests, fields, and even our homes.
In this guide, you’ll discover 23 common types of crickets found around the world. From the loud-calling Field Cricket to the ghostly silent Camel Cricket, each one has its own look, habitat, and unique song—or lack of one.
1. House Cricket
The House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) is one of the most familiar and widespread cricket species worldwide. Known for its constant chirping, especially at night, this cricket often finds its way indoors and is also commonly used as pet food for reptiles and amphibians.
Identification
- Size: ¾ to 1 inch long
- Color: Light brown to tan with darker bands across the head
- Wings: Well-developed; can fly short distances
- Antennae: Long and thin, often longer than the body
- Sound: Males produce a loud, steady chirping sound by rubbing their wings together
Behavior and Activity
They are nocturnal and hide in dark crevices during the day. At night, males sing to attract mates. They’re generally harmless but may nibble on fabrics, paper, or food scraps if present in large numbers indoors.
Habitat and Diet
Commonly found in homes, pet stores, and farms where they are bred. Outdoors, they prefer warm, moist areas near buildings. Their diet includes grains, plant material, fungi, and even small dead insects. Indoors, they may consume crumbs or organic debris.
2. Field Cricket
Field Crickets (Gryllus spp.) are robust, dark-colored crickets commonly found in fields, lawns, and sometimes sneaking indoors. They are strong jumpers and excellent singers, producing loud chirping that varies by species and temperature.
Identification
- Size: ¾ to 1¼ inches
- Color: Dark brown to black
- Wings: Present; some species capable of flight
- Antennae: Long and slender
- Sound: Loud, deep chirping mostly at night
Behavior and Activity
Field crickets are mostly nocturnal and hide under stones, logs, or in soil cracks during the day. Males sing to attract females, especially in late summer. They may wander indoors in search of warmth or light.
Habitat and Diet
Typically found in open grassy areas, gardens, and roadside edges. Their diet consists of decaying plant matter, fungi, seeds, and small insects. They can sometimes cause damage to crops or garden plants if present in large numbers.
3. Ground Cricket
Ground Crickets belong to the subfamily Nemobiinae and are much smaller and less flashy than other crickets. They live close to the ground and are more likely to be heard than seen due to their high-pitched, continuous trills.
Identification
- Size: Tiny, about ¼ to ½ inch
- Color: Light to dark brown
- Wings: Present but shorter; usually flightless
- Antennae: Thin and long
- Sound: High-pitched trill, softer than field crickets
Behavior and Activity
Active mostly at dusk and night. Males sing continuous, insect-like trills from leaf litter or soil surface. They rarely enter homes and are generally shy and quick to hide.
Habitat and Diet
Found in lawns, meadows, fields, and forest floors—often under leaves or in grass clumps. They feed on plant debris, fungi, and algae. Their low profile and quiet presence make them harder to detect than larger cricket types.
4. Tree Cricket
Tree Crickets (Oecanthinae) are slender, pale green or white crickets often found in shrubs and trees. Unlike most crickets, their chirps sound like soft, musical trills and are often mistaken for other insects or distant electronics.
Identification
- Size: ½ to ¾ inch
- Color: Pale green or whitish with transparent wings
- Wings: Large and oval, often extending past the abdomen
- Antennae: Very long, often twice the body length
- Sound: Soft, high-pitched trilling
Behavior and Activity
They are active mostly at dusk and throughout the night. Males call from leaves and twigs, while females stay nearby. Their trilling is temperature-dependent—higher pitch in warmer conditions.
Habitat and Diet
Found in shrubs, trees, and tall grasses in gardens, forests, and fields. They feed on plant sap, soft fruits, and small insects. Their camouflage coloring helps them blend into leaves, making them difficult to spot.
5. Camel Cricket
Camel Crickets (Ceuthophilus spp.), also called cave crickets or spider crickets, are wingless crickets with a distinctive arched back and long legs. They don’t chirp and are more common in dark, damp environments like basements or under logs.
Identification
- Size: ½ to 1½ inches
- Color: Light to dark brown with mottled markings
- Wings: None
- Body Shape: Humpbacked with long hind legs
- Sound: Silent (no chirping)
Behavior and Activity
Camel crickets are active at night and jump erratically when disturbed. They rely on stealth and movement to avoid predators rather than sound or flight. Often found in basements, crawl spaces, and under leaf litter.
Habitat and Diet
Prefer cool, moist environments such as caves, under decks, damp basements, and woodpiles. Their diet includes fungi, dead insects, paper, fabrics, and organic debris. They are scavengers and not harmful unless present in large numbers indoors.
6. Mole Cricket
Mole Crickets (Gryllotalpidae) are unusual-looking crickets known for their shovel-like front legs used for digging. They spend most of their lives underground and are considered pests in lawns and gardens due to their root-damaging behavior.
Identification
- Size: 1 to 2 inches
- Color: Light brown to grayish-brown
- Front Legs: Strong and broad, adapted for digging
- Wings: Present in adults; capable of flight
- Sound: Low-pitched, vibrating trill from underground tunnels
Behavior and Activity
Mole crickets are nocturnal and secretive, emerging at night to feed and mate. Males create underground burrows and produce a loud call to attract females. Their burrowing can cause raised soil and damage to plant roots.
Habitat and Diet
Found in moist, sandy soils in lawns, golf courses, gardens, and agricultural fields. Their diet includes roots, tubers, decaying organic matter, and small soil insects. They are a major pest in some areas due to turf damage.
7. Snowy Tree Cricket
The Snowy Tree Cricket (Oecanthus fultoni) is also known as the “thermometer cricket” because its chirping rate is closely linked to temperature. Its soft, rhythmic trills are a common nighttime sound in late summer and early fall.
Identification
- Size: About ¾ inch
- Color: Pale green or whitish
- Wings: Long and transparent with a clean, leaf-like appearance
- Antennae: Very long and threadlike
- Sound: Regular, high-pitched chirps that increase in warmth
Behavior and Activity
Males perch on the undersides of leaves and sing through the night. They are more active during warm evenings and are less visible due to their excellent camouflage and quiet nature.
Habitat and Diet
Often found in shrubs, small trees, and gardens. They feed on plant sap, small insects, and sometimes soft fruits. Their gentle sound is often associated with peaceful, late-summer nights.
8. Tropical House Cricket
The Tropical House Cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) is a warm-climate species often used in the pet trade as feeder insects. They are closely related to the common house cricket but are more heat-tolerant and quieter, making them a preferred choice for indoor breeding.
Identification
- Size: Around ½ to ⅝ inch
- Color: Light brown to tan with darker bands
- Wings: Present; shorter than body
- Antennae: Long and thin
- Sound: Softer and less frequent chirping than common house crickets
Behavior and Activity
These crickets are active at night and prefer warm, dry environments. They are less likely to escape and survive in cooler climates, making them more manageable indoors.
Habitat and Diet
Often raised in controlled environments like pet stores and reptile farms. In the wild, they inhabit warm regions and feed on grains, fruits, plant debris, and small insects. They are easy to breed and are widely distributed through commercial pet supply networks.
9. Striped Ground Cricket
The Striped Ground Cricket (Allonemobius spp.) is a small, inconspicuous cricket commonly found in lawns, meadows, and weedy fields. It is best known for its high-pitched, insect-like trill and ground-hugging behavior.
Identification
- Size: About ¼ to ⅜ inch
- Color: Brown with distinctive dark longitudinal stripes
- Wings: Short, rarely used for flight
- Antennae: Long, thin, and mobile
- Sound: Rapid, continuous trill (often mistaken for a small electronic buzz)
Behavior and Activity
Active mostly during warm evenings, these crickets call from ground-level vegetation or leaf litter. Their quick movements and small size make them difficult to see, even when their song is clearly heard.
Habitat and Diet
Found in grassy yards, roadsides, and open woodland edges. They feed on plant material, fungi, and decaying organic matter. Though small, their trilling can fill summer nights with sound.
10. Western Tree Cricket
The Western Tree Cricket (Oecanthus californicus) is a slender, pale cricket native to the western United States. Like its eastern relatives, it produces a soft, high-pitched trill during warm summer evenings and is often heard before being seen.
Identification
- Size: ½ to ¾ inch
- Color: Pale green to light yellow
- Wings: Transparent and oval-shaped
- Antennae: Very long, thin, and often longer than the body
- Sound: Soft, musical trill—slightly faster than the snowy tree cricket
Behavior and Activity
These crickets sing from low shrubs, tree branches, or tall grass. They are nocturnal and shy, often remaining still when approached. Their sound increases with evening temperature and provides a calm nighttime ambiance.
Habitat and Diet
Common in dry grasslands, shrubs, and open woodlands in western North America. They feed on small insects, nectar, and plant fluids. Though delicate in appearance, they’re well adapted to drier environments.
11. Northern Mole Cricket
The Northern Mole Cricket (Neocurtilla hexadactyla) is a burrowing cricket found in moist soil across parts of the eastern and central United States. It’s less destructive than its southern cousins but still has strong digging abilities and a unique underground lifestyle.
Identification
- Size: 1 to 1½ inches
- Color: Brown to reddish-brown
- Front Legs: Enlarged and spade-like for digging
- Wings: Present; adults can fly
- Sound: Low-pitched, continuous trill from underground chambers
Behavior and Activity
Mostly nocturnal, these crickets dig tunnels and create resonating chambers to amplify their calls. Males call from these burrows to attract females, especially after rain.
Habitat and Diet
Found in gardens, lawns, wetlands, and riverbanks with moist soil. They feed on plant roots, organic debris, and small soil insects. Their presence is usually detected by the raised soil or their soft, droning song.
12. Southern Mole Cricket
The Southern Mole Cricket (Scapteriscus borellii) is a major lawn and turf pest in the southeastern United States. Known for its strong digging abilities, it damages grass roots and disturbs soil structure, especially in golf courses and sports fields.
Identification
- Size: 1 to 1½ inches
- Color: Light brown to grayish-brown
- Front Legs: Broad, clawed, and well-adapted for digging
- Wings: Fully developed; capable of strong flight
- Sound: Low, vibrating trill heard near burrows
Behavior and Activity
This species is highly active at night, especially after rainfall. Males build tunnel systems where they sing to attract females. Their digging creates raised trails and soil mounds, often mistaken for earthworm activity.
Habitat and Diet
They thrive in sandy, moist soils across southern U.S. states. Southern mole crickets feed on roots, seedlings, and small soil organisms. Due to their feeding habits, they are considered a serious pest for lawns and gardens.
13. Common Bush Cricket
The Common Bush Cricket (Tettigoniidae, also known as katydids in North America) refers to various species of long-horned crickets found in bushes and shrubs. Though technically not true crickets, they are closely related and often mistaken for them due to their appearance and chirping.
Identification
- Size: 1 to 2 inches
- Color: Green or brown, leaf-like body
- Antennae: Extremely long—often longer than the body
- Wings: Leaf-shaped; mimic plant foliage
- Sound: Sharp, raspy chirps usually at night
Behavior and Activity
Bush crickets are nocturnal and use their camouflage to avoid predators. Males produce sound by rubbing their wings together, and their calls vary from ticking to buzzing, depending on the species.
Habitat and Diet
Found in shrubs, trees, gardens, and meadows. They are omnivorous—feeding on leaves, flowers, small insects, and sometimes even fruit. While harmless to humans, their nighttime calls are a major part of summer soundscapes.
14. Great Green Bush Cricket
The Great Green Bush Cricket (Tettigonia viridissima) is one of the largest bush crickets in Europe. With its striking green color and loud, rattling call, it’s a prominent feature in meadows and woodland edges during the summer months.
Identification
- Size: Up to 2 inches or more
- Color: Bright green with a brownish stripe along the back
- Antennae: Extremely long and thread-like
- Wings: Fully developed; extend beyond the body
- Sound: Loud, rasping trill produced mostly at dusk
Behavior and Activity
Males call from tall grass or shrubs, often well-hidden despite their size. Their song is a continuous rasping sound that carries over long distances. Though they look intimidating, they are harmless and rarely bite.
Habitat and Diet
Common in tall grasslands, hedgerows, and open forests across Europe. Their diet includes plant leaves, flower petals, aphids, and small insects. They play a role in both pollination and insect control.
15. Two-Spotted Tree Cricket
The Two-Spotted Tree Cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) is a delicate, pale green species with two distinctive dark spots at the base of its wings. It produces a smooth, high-pitched trill and is commonly found in trees and shrubs across eastern North America.
Identification
- Size: About ½ inch
- Color: Light green with transparent wings
- Markings: Two dark spots at the base of the forewings
- Wings: Oval, leaf-like appearance
- Sound: Steady trill, often heard at dusk
Behavior and Activity
Males sing from branches and leaves, especially in late summer and early fall. Their calls are used to attract females and vary with temperature. They are active during warm evenings and stay well-camouflaged in foliage.
Habitat and Diet
Typically found in trees, shrubs, and garden plants. They feed on pollen, plant juices, and small insects. Though not considered pests, their presence is often welcomed for their pleasant, rhythmic songs.
16. Four-Spotted Tree Cricket
The Four-Spotted Tree Cricket (Oecanthus quadripunctatus) is a small, pale cricket known for the four tiny dark spots located on its forewings. This species produces a gentle, musical trill and is often heard rather than seen in gardens and wooded areas.
Identification
- Size: ½ to ⅝ inch
- Color: Pale green to yellowish
- Markings: Four distinct black spots on the base of the forewings
- Wings: Thin, transparent, and rounded
- Sound: Soft, rhythmic trill usually heard at night
Behavior and Activity
Active from late summer through early fall, males sing while perched on stems or leaves. Their call is temperature-dependent and often blends into ambient nighttime sounds. They are shy and hide when disturbed.
Habitat and Diet
Found in shrubs, tall grasses, and woodland borders. They feed on plant sap, pollen, and occasionally small insects. Their soft song adds a peaceful background to late-summer nights.
17. Marsh Ground Cricket
The Marsh Ground Cricket (Neonemobius palustris) is a tiny, ground-dwelling cricket often found in wet, marshy environments. It produces a continuous, faint trill and is rarely seen due to its small size and cryptic coloration.
Identification
- Size: About ¼ inch
- Color: Dark brown to black with some lighter markings
- Wings: Very short; flightless
- Sound: Very soft, steady trill—barely audible unless nearby
- Antennae: Long and slender
Behavior and Activity
These crickets are mostly nocturnal and hide in leaf litter or under wet grass. Males sing close to the ground, and their sound may be masked by frogs or other louder species in marsh environments.
Habitat and Diet
Lives in swamps, marshes, wet meadows, and near pond edges. Feeds on decaying vegetation, algae, and fungi. Although rarely noticed, they are an important part of the wetland insect ecosystem.
18. Carolina Ground Cricket
The Carolina Ground Cricket (Eunemobius carolinus) is one of the most widespread ground crickets in the southeastern United States. Known for its soft, insect-like trill, it often goes unnoticed due to its small size and excellent camouflage in leaf litter and grass.
Identification
- Size: About ¼ to ⅜ inch
- Color: Dark brown to black with faint stripe patterns
- Wings: Short; not used for flying
- Sound: Gentle, continuous trill, usually heard at dusk
- Antennae: Very long and hair-like
Behavior and Activity
This cricket is active during the evening and night, often singing from ground level in shady or damp areas. Its call is soft but steady and may be mistaken for background insect noise.
Habitat and Diet
Common in forests, lawns, and shaded gardens. Prefers moist, undisturbed areas with plenty of ground cover. Diet includes fungi, decaying plants, and small organic debris. It plays a useful role in breaking down leaf litter.
19. Cuban Ground Cricket
The Cuban Ground Cricket (Eunemobius melodius) is a small, ground-dwelling cricket native to the Caribbean, especially Cuba. It’s recognized for its clear, bell-like trill, which is surprisingly loud for its small size.
Identification
- Size: About ¼ inch
- Color: Light brown with darker markings
- Wings: Short and rounded
- Sound: Clear, melodic trill that rises and falls in pitch
- Antennae: Long and thin
Behavior and Activity
Mostly active at night, this cricket hides in low grass or under debris during the day. Males produce musical calls to attract females, often from leaf litter or stone cracks.
Habitat and Diet
Found in grassy fields, tropical gardens, and roadside vegetation in Cuba and neighboring islands. They feed on plant detritus, algae, and occasionally dead insects. Their song is often used in soundscapes to evoke tropical summer nights.
20. Texas Field Cricket
The Texas Field Cricket (Gryllus texensis) is a robust, dark-colored cricket commonly found across Texas and the southern United States. It is known for its loud, repetitive chirping and tendency to gather around lights at night, especially in late summer and fall.
Identification
- Size: 1 to 1¼ inches
- Color: Shiny black or dark brown
- Wings: Present and capable of short flight
- Sound: Loud, rhythmic chirps—common in urban areas
- Antennae: Long and highly sensitive
Behavior and Activity
Active mainly at night, Texas field crickets often gather on sidewalks, under streetlights, and near doors. Males sing persistently to attract females and can create choruses that fill entire neighborhoods.
Habitat and Diet
Found in fields, gardens, and urban environments. They feed on plant matter, food scraps, dead insects, and fabrics. While mostly a nuisance due to their sound, they do not pose harm unless present in large numbers.
21. Narrow-Winged Tree Cricket
The Narrow-Winged Tree Cricket (Oecanthus niveus) is a slim-bodied cricket with narrow, translucent wings and a high-pitched trill. It is commonly found in eastern North America and is active through late summer and early autumn.
Identification
- Size: About ½ to ⅝ inch
- Color: Pale green to whitish
- Wings: Narrow, transparent, extend just past the abdomen
- Sound: High-pitched, steady trill—faster in warmer temperatures
- Antennae: Very long and delicate
Behavior and Activity
Males call from tall weeds, shrubs, or tree branches at dusk and into the night. Their calls are continuous and soothing, adding to the background hum of summer evenings.
Habitat and Diet
Often found in open woods, gardens, and field edges. They feed on plant sap, pollen, and small insects. Their soft, night-long calls make them one of the most recognizable tree crickets by sound.
22. Scaly Cricket
The Scaly Cricket (Pteronemobius spp.) is a tiny, ground-dwelling cricket known for the fine, scale-like texture on its body and wings. It is often overlooked due to its small size, silent behavior, and cryptic coloration.
Identification
- Size: About ⅛ to ¼ inch
- Color: Brown to dark gray with a shimmery, scaly appearance
- Wings: Short and textured, giving a scale-like look
- Sound: Silent (or nearly undetectable to humans)
- Antennae: Thin and very long
Behavior and Activity
Scaly crickets are highly secretive and active mostly at night. They do not chirp, and their movements are slow and cautious. When disturbed, they quickly hide under stones, leaf litter, or logs.
Habitat and Diet
Found in moist environments like garden beds, forest floors, and under mulch. They feed on fungi, decaying plants, algae, and small organic particles. Despite being quiet and elusive, they contribute to soil health through decomposition.
23. Fall Field Cricket
The Fall Field Cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus) is one of the most familiar crickets in North America. It appears in late summer and fall, producing loud chirping and often venturing indoors as temperatures drop.
Identification
- Size: ¾ to 1 inch
- Color: Black with a slightly reddish tint on the legs
- Wings: Short in females, long or short in males
- Sound: Loud, steady chirping mostly heard in evening and at night
- Antennae: Long and flexible
Behavior and Activity
Males call from grasses, sidewalks, and doorsteps, often near lights. As nights get cooler, they may enter homes seeking warmth. Their singing is especially loud and dominant in late summer.
Habitat and Diet
They live in fields, roadsides, gardens, and occasionally indoors. Their diet includes plant material, small insects, and food scraps. While harmless, their chirping can become a nuisance when they gather in large numbers near homes.
