A familiar night-time sound
Field crickets are dark, stout insects that live in grass and under stones. They are most active at night, and many people know them through their chirping.
Chirps and temperature
Males raise their forewings and rub a scraper on one wing against a file on the other, producing a chirp. The chirp rate speeds up with warmth, and in some species the rate can be used to estimate the air temperature. Females listen for the song and choose males with stronger, faster calls.
Role in the food web
Crickets feed many animals including birds, frogs, spiders and small mammals. They are also kept as a protein source and as food for pets.
Listen
What it sounds like: Chirping produced by rubbing the wings together.
To hear independent recordings, try Freesound. Check each recording’s licence before reusing it. See Media & Sources.
Further reading: Nocturnal Noises: Which Animals Are Most Active at Night, and Why
Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List as we understand it at the time of writing. Assessments are revised regularly, so please check the IUCN Red List for the current listing.