The familiar chirping from fields and gardens may come from one of two distinct creatures: crickets or grasshoppers. Both are common members of the insect order Orthoptera, characterized by powerful hind legs adapted for jumping. Their similar general appearance and shared ability to leap frequently lead to confusion among observers. However, despite their close taxonomic relationship, these two insects possess specific physical, mechanical, and behavioral characteristics that set them apart. Understanding these differences allows for accurate identification.
Identifying Features: Antennae and Body Shape
The most immediate and reliable way to distinguish between a cricket and a grasshopper is by observing the length and shape of their antennae. Crickets (suborder Ensifera) feature long, thin, whip-like antennae that are often equal to or significantly longer than their entire body length. In contrast, grasshoppers (suborder Caelifera) possess noticeably shorter and thicker antennae that rarely extend past the length of their head and thorax. Differences in body structure also provide visual cues for identification. Crickets typically have a more robust, cylindrical, and somewhat compressed body shape, giving them a stockier appearance. When at rest, the cricket’s forewings (tegmina) are held flat over the abdomen. The grasshopper is usually more slender and elongated. Their forewings are held folded tightly in a tent-like fashion over their body, effectively camouflaging them against blades of grass and leaves.
The Mechanics of Sound Production
The distinct sounds produced by crickets and grasshoppers result from different physical mechanisms, although both processes are forms of stridulation. Crickets create their characteristic, continuous song by rubbing their two forewings together in a wing-on-wing motion. This sound is generated when a sharp ridge (scraper) on one wing is drawn across a row of teeth (file) located on the other wing. The wings vibrate to amplify the sound, which is used primarily by males to attract mates. Grasshoppers produce their sounds using a different method that involves their legs and wings. They rub a row of small pegs located on the inside of their hind legs against a thickened vein on their forewings, a mechanism known as leg-on-wing friction. This action results in a shorter, more abrupt buzzing or clicking sound, rather than the steady trill of a cricket. The location of their hearing organs also varies, as crickets detect sound using tympana located on their front legs, while grasshoppers have their tympana situated at the base of their abdomen.
Behavioral Differences: Habitat and Activity Cycle
Grasshoppers and crickets differ significantly in their daily routines and preferred ecological niches. Grasshoppers are predominantly diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, preferring sunny, open habitats like fields and meadows. Their coloration often reflects the green and brown of the vegetation, providing effective camouflage against predators during daylight hours. Crickets, conversely, are largely nocturnal or crepuscular, becoming most active and vocal at dusk and throughout the night. Crickets prefer moist, dark, and sheltered locations, often residing in burrows, under leaf litter, or in crevices. Their dietary habits also contrast sharply: grasshoppers are almost exclusively herbivores that graze on grass, leaves, and crops. Crickets exhibit an omnivorous diet, consuming a wider variety of materials, including decaying plant matter, fungi, and occasionally other small insects, in addition to plants.