Jamaican Field Cricket
Gryllus assimilis
This record describes Gryllus assimilis (species). Recorded family: Gryllidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown, tan, or a bit yellowish with a distinctive black or nearly black pattern. Some are lighter than others, and generally the blackish coloring dominates the lighter background coloring. G. personatus is very similar, but occurs in different areas. First described from Jamaica. The California population of a related species, Gryllus multipulsator was first considered to belong to this species until they were differentiated by their calls.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Gryllidae (True Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Gryllinae
- Genus
- Gryllus (Field Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Primarily in tropical regions, but sometimes imported into other areas with produce or cargo. Established in Peninsular Florida, southernmost Texas, and near the coast in southern California.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Gryllus assimilis. 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 Jamaican Field Cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Jamaican Field Cricket
What is Jamaican Field Cricket?
Jamaican Field Cricket (Gryllus assimilis) is a species in the family Gryllidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Jamaican Field Cricket?
Brown, tan, or a bit yellowish with a distinctive black or nearly black pattern. Some are lighter than others, and generally the blackish coloring dominates the lighter background coloring. G. personatus is very similar, but occurs in different areas.
Where is Jamaican Field Cricket found?
Habitat: Primarily in tropical regions, but sometimes imported into other areas with produce or cargo. Established in Peninsular Florida, southernmost Texas, and near the coast in southern California.