How can crickets be distinguished from grasshoppers?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Although grasshoppers and crickets are both members of the order Orthoptera, they can be distinguished by several physical and behavioral characteristics:

  • Antennae: Crickets typically possess much longer antennae compared to grasshoppers.1
  • Hearing Organs: The tympanal organs (ears) are located on the abdomen near the thorax in grasshoppers, whereas in crickets, they are found on the front legs.12
  • Sound Production: Grasshoppers often produce sound by rubbing their hind legs against their wings, while crickets produce their characteristic chirping sounds by rubbing their wings together.12
  • Activity Patterns: Grasshoppers are primarily diurnal (active during the day), while most crickets are nocturnal.13

These insects are classified into different suborders: crickets belong to the suborder Ensifera, while grasshoppers belong to the suborder Caelifera.4