Tropical House Cricket
Gryllodes sigillatus
This record describes Gryllodes sigillatus (species). Recorded family: Gryllidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Probably introduced from Asia. Raised and sold for pet food.
Wikipedia reference for Gryllodes sigillatus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_house_cricket.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Gryllidae (True Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Gryllinae
- Genus
- Gryllodes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Human-modified habitats
Geographic Range
Southern tier of states from CA to FL
Seasonal Activity
Year-round
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Generalist omnivore
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: F. Walker
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Gryllodes sigillatus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Tropical House Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Robin McLeod , David Ferguson , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Tropical House Cricket
What is Tropical House Cricket?
Tropical House Cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) is a species in the family Gryllidae, within the order Orthoptera.
Where is Tropical House Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Human-modified habitats |
| Range | Southern tier of states from CA to FL |
What does Tropical House Cricket eat?
The diet of the Tropical House Cricket includes Generalist omnivore.
When is Tropical House Cricket active?
Tropical House Cricket: seasonal activity - Year-round.