Grasshoppers and Crickets are familiar garden inhabitants that often catch the eye with their strong jumping actions when they try to escape. They can add to the natural soundscape with their stridulations; especially notable are the crickets at night. Males usually produce sounds by snapping or rubbing their wings together or may even rub their mandibles. Many species have multiple songs that they use for different purposes: attracting mates, aggression and courting females.
Nymphs hatch from eggs and then move through multiple moults until they reach their adult form. Many Orthopteran adults are fully winged. Diet is mainly leaves for the majority of species, but some will consume other insects.
Crickets and grasshoppers are often difficult to see due to their cryptic camouflage and are sufficiently agile that they are difficult to catch. If they are captured they will try to jump, and will regurgitate their crop contents in an effort to ward off predators. Some large orthopterans can also bite.
Direct family links A-Z
Acrididae Gryllacrididae Gryllotalpidae Gryllidae Morabidae Pyrgomorphidae Rhaphidophoridae Tetrigidae Tettigoniidae Trigonidiidae
Quick Visual Finder
Suborder Caelifera (Grasshoppers)
Suborder Ensifera (Crickets)
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References
CSIRO, 1990. Insects of Australia, Volume 1: A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. 2nd Edition. pp 369-378. Melbourne University Publishing.