Buzz
Though often seen as home invaders, crickets are cherished globally. These tiny creatures act as natural thermometers, have ears on their knees, and could even play a role in saving the planet. Discover 11 delightful and unexpected facts about crickets.
1. The name 'cricket' is inspired by their unique sound.
The term cricket originates from the Old French word criquet, which mimics the repetitive chirping sounds of these insects—once thought to resemble the rhythmic pattern of “criquet … criquet … criquet.”
Interestingly, the sport of cricket derives its name from a completely unrelated source: an Old French term for goal post.
2. Their sound production is not what you might expect.
How do crickets produce their signature chirps? Early illustrators avoided the question by depicting them playing miniature violins. A common misconception is that crickets rub their legs together to create sound. In reality, they use their wings to sing.
If you drag your finger along the teeth of a comb, you’ll notice a rhythmic rattling sound. Crickets produce noise in a similar manner, using a scraper on one wing and a comb-like structure on the other.
Each species of cricket has unique sound-producing structures that create distinct chirps. Researchers have even recreated the call of an extinct cricket relative, a Jurassic-era bush cricket (katydid), by analyzing the shape of its fossilized wings.
3. Female crickets are mostly silent.
That incessant chirping in your home? It’s likely coming from a male cricket. Most female crickets don’t possess the wing structures needed to produce sound. However, there are exceptions: Certain female mole crickets (related to “true” crickets) can sing, while some male crickets remain completely silent.
So, why do male crickets usually chirp?
4. Crickets chirp for love—and rivalry.
Their songs are all about attracting a mate. But crickets don’t rely on a single melody. They have a diverse repertoire of calls: one to lure females from a distance, another for intimate courtship, and even a celebratory tune after mating. Males also use their songs to intimidate competitors, and some romantic melodies can provoke nearby females to compete with each other.
5. Cricket chirps can act as a natural thermometer.
Crickets chirp more often as temperatures rise, a reliable enough pattern that you can calculate the temperature based on their calls. The snowy tree cricket’s soft chirps are particularly accurate for this purpose. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, counting the number of chirps in 14 seconds and adding 40 will give you the temperature in Fahrenheit.
6. Some crickets have adapted to remain silent.
A specific fly species has infested Kauai in Hawaii, posing a nightmare for crickets: it uses an advanced hearing system to locate chirping crickets and deposit maggots on them. These maggots then burrow into the cricket and consume it from within.
In response, male crickets on Kauai have evolved wings resembling those of female crickets, rendering them unable to chirp. These silent crickets make up for their lack of mating calls by being more active, increasing their chances of encountering potential mates [PDF].
7. Crickets hear with their legs.
Insects have ears in unusual locations. For instance, the parasitic flies that prey on crickets have ears located just below their head and neck. When a butterfly lands and folds its wings, it reveals its ears. Cricket ears, on the other hand, are tiny spots less than a millimeter long, positioned on their front legs just below the knees. These are among the smallest ears in the animal kingdom, yet they are incredibly sensitive.
8. Crickets come in a variety of colors.
While the crickets you find at home are usually black or brown, their relatives are far more vibrant. Take the red-headed bush cricket, also called the handsome trig, which lives up to its name with its striking appearance. The snowy tree cricket boasts a pastel green hue and wings shaped like tennis rackets. In tropical regions, home to the greatest diversity of cricket species, you might encounter the intricately patterned Nisitrus species.
These are just the “true” crickets, belonging to the family Gryllidae. The term cricket is also used for many close relatives of Gryllidae, and they are a fascinating group of insects ...
9. Crickets have some fascinating relatives.
Among cricket relatives are mole crickets, known for their large claws and subterranean lifestyle. To attract mates, they create horn-shaped burrows that act as natural amplifiers, making their calls louder and more effective.
Bush crickets, or katydids, are another group, displaying vibrant colors like hot pink and other striking shades. Some katydids are masters of camouflage, resembling leaves so closely—complete with chew marks and holes—that they often go unnoticed even when right in front of you.
Another cricket relative, New Zealand’s weta, includes giant insects that can weigh more than a mouse. The name weta originates from a Maori term meaning “god of ugly things.” The famous Weta Workshop, responsible for the props and creatures in the Lord of the Rings films, drew its name from these extraordinary insects.
9. Crickets are beloved by many.
Insects often face criticism, but crickets are cherished in many cultures. In China, they’ve long been kept as symbols of good luck and even used in cricket fights. In Japan, crickets are adored for their melodic chirping. In Brazil, certain species are seen as harbingers of hope or prosperity, though others are viewed as omens of misfortune. Charles Dickens’s story The Cricket on the Hearth portrays a cricket as a household’s protector. And who could forget Disney’s Jiminy Cricket or Cri-Kee from Mulan? Few insects have been given such endearing roles in popular culture.
10. Crickets are common house guests.
Many cricket species thrive in and around human homes. House crickets, brownish and likely originating in Asia, breed indoors in cities worldwide. Field crickets, with their black coloring, often wander into buildings by accident. Meanwhile, the greenhouse camel cricket, a cricket relative, has been stealthily infiltrating homes across the eastern United States.
Thankfully, these household crickets are mostly harmless. Their droppings might leave stains on curtains, and they occasionally nibble on fabrics, but their worst offense is usually their relentless chirping.
11. Crickets could play a role in saving the planet.
Picture a nutrient-rich, high-protein food that’s more sustainable to produce than traditional meats and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This superfood? It’s crickets. Available in various forms—such as flour—that eliminate the “ick” factor, crickets could revolutionize the food industry if Western societies embrace the idea of insect-based nutrition. They might just represent the future of food.
This story originally ran in 2016.
