FIELD CRICKETS: Gryllus spp., Gryllidae

ADULT:  Field crickets are usually dark brown to black in color.  Females have ovipositor that extends 3/4 to 1 in. beyond end of abdomen. Cerci of both sexes are 1/3 the length of the body. Rear femora are enlarged for jumping. Antennae are hairlike and as long as or longer than body. Males rub 'pegs' and 'file' on forewings together to make chirping sounds. 

EGG: Banana-shaped, cream-colored eggs 1/16 to 1/8 in. long are deposited in damp soil in small groups.  The are not encased in a hardened frothy mass as with grasshoppers.

NYMPH: Eight to twelve nymphal instars, all but the first of which look much like the adults.  There is no pupal stage.

GENERATION TIME: 9 to 14 wk.

DAMAGE: A rare to occasional pest, they feed on leaves and can reduce stand at seedling stage in the presence of large populations.

CONTROL: Corn planted to weedy fields may have more trouble with crickets, particularly late in Spring through Summer in northern Florida.  Fields should be cleaned well in advance of planting when large cricket populations are detected.  There are no insecticides specifically labeled for cricket control in Florida corn.