아시아뉴스통신

뉴스홈 전체기사 정치 산업ㆍ경제 사회 국제
스포츠 전국 연예·문화 종교 인터뷰 TV

Crickets: Insects That Can "Sing"

  • [아시아뉴스통신] Timothy Montales 기자
  • 송고시간 2019-01-23 16:02
  • 뉴스홈 > 국제
Photo by:Muhamad hamizi sharif via shutterstock
 

Crickets are the most common type of insects that have been coexisting with humans since the beginning of time. These insects are part of the Gryllidae family -- also known as “true crickets” -- and belong to the Orthoptera order. They are related to bus crickets and loosely related to grasshoppers as well. It is said that crickets evolved from other Orthopterans during the Triassic period some 250 million years ago, and continued throughout the Jurassic period about 145 million years ago.


Features and Characteristics


Crickets apparently got their name from the Old French crequet, in reference to the chirps they usually produce -- like “crequet… crequet… crequet.” Today, these insects are found around the world, with the biggest population being found in tropical regions. In the US, the most common variety of crickets is the black field crickets. There are about 900 different cricket species in the Gryllidae family, and around 100 of them can be found in the US.


A cricket’s distinct features include powerful hind legs, two pairs of wings, flattened bodies, and antennae that can be longer than their body. Crickets typically come in red, green, black, and light brown. They are nocturnal animals because they typically sleep at day and are mostly active at night.


Crickets mostly thrive outdoors in warm, moist environments. They are usually found in logs in meadows, under rocks, along roadsides and in pastures, even in trees or within caves. In residential suburban areas, they mostly congregate in warm parts of the property such as near indoor heaters, kitchens, and fireplaces.


They are considered omnivores and mainly scavenge for food. They usually feast on fungi, decaying plants, and even dead insects including their own kind. They use their antennae -- also called as feelers -- to find food and detect prey movement. Crickets are also considered as a good garden companion, as they eat insects that destroy plants such as aphids and ants.
 


On the other hand, crickets are food to lizards, frog, salamanders, spiders, and tortoises, and hopping away with the use of their powerful legs is their main defense against their predators. In some parts of the world, crickets are also a human delicacy as they are said to be a nutritious and sustainable food source.


There are some cricket species in the US that bite; however, these are only rare cases when it does happen. Thankfully, crickets do not have venom and also do not carry diseases that can make humans ill.


“Singing” Crickets


As a group, they are collectively known as an “orchestra of crickets” due to their “singing,” especially at night. Crickets actually make that chirping sound which we refer to as their "singing" with the use of their wings -- scientifically called “stridulation.” They do so by rubbing a scraping organ on one wing against a comb-like organ on the other wing. Interestingly, each cricket species has a distinctive sound which depends on the shape of their wings.


Most of us don’t know that most male crickets are the ones who do the chirping, because most of the females, except for the female mole cricket, don’t have the wings that produce that chirp-like sound. A chirping cricket has its purpose: to find a mate. In fact, there are different sounds for different purposes -- for attracting females from afar, for courtship, and even for post-mating. It is also said that crickets also sing to intimidate male competitors, and may even trigger a duel.



Another interesting fact about crickets is that their chirps can be used to measure outside temperature. In fact, The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends counting the number of the cricket’s chirps in 14 seconds then adding 40 to get the temperature in Fahrenheit. They chirp more frequently when the weather gets warmer, and using this formula accurately measures the temperature most of the time.
 


Photo by: benvl photography via shutterstock

Many people in different cultures adore crickets. For one, Chinese people are said to keep these insects mostly as good luck charms. Crickets are also well-loved in Japan, especially for their chirping sounds. In Brazil, some cricket species are said to be signs of hope or incoming wealth. A cricket became a lead character in one of Charles Dickens’ tale called “The Cricket on the Hearth”. But the most well-known cricket in the world is Disney’s Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio, followed by Cri-Kee from Mulan, both depicted as cute and charming characters.Crickets in modern culture


Cricket fighting is also a famous gambling sport. This practice is said to have originated from China’s Tang Dynasty, where crickets are exposed to a specific condition that will trigger their aggressiveness -- including complete isolation prior to the fight, or making them fly forcibly which apparently enables them to fight longer.  


Control


Although crickets have been part of human culture for centuries, there are times where preventive measures are needed to control these insects when they turn into annoying pests. Some of their negative traits include damaging crops and other household items, and excessive chirping to the point of sleep deprivation. Some things you can do to prevent cricket infestation are the following:


* Place cricket traps such as glue boards with a corn meal as bait to catch them.


* Remove things that could attract crickets such as weed, tall grass, debris, mulch, and firewood


* Spray insecticides in cracks, holes, garage, and basement areas to prevent crickets from entering your home.
 


Photo By: Alexander Sviridov via shutterstock