Have you ever heard the buzzing sound of an insect in your backyard but couldn’t tell whether it was a cricket or a cicada? Knowing the difference between these two species can help you better understand the insect life in your surroundings.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between crickets and cicadas in terms of size comparison, physical features, color and activity patterns, types of habitats, diet, reproductive habits, and control of population.
So, if you want to learn more about these fascinating creatures, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Crickets and cicadas are both insects that belong to the same family, but they have some differences.
Crickets are usually smaller than cicadas and have slender bodies with long antennae.
They are typically active at night and produce a chirping sound.
Cicadas, on the other hand, are larger insects with bulging eyes and short antennae.
They are active during the day and produce a loud buzzing noise.
Additionally, cicadas have a much longer lifespan, living for up to 17 years, whereas crickets usually only live for a couple of months.
Size Comparison
When it comes to size comparison, crickets and cicadas differ significantly.
Crickets are generally smaller in size, ranging from 3-50mm, while cicadas can measure anywhere from 17-50mm.
This difference in size is quite noticeable and makes it easy to tell the two apart.
Crickets also have antennae that are typically held out to the side, while cicadas have antennae that are held straight out in front.
This difference in antennae positioning can also help differentiate between the two species.
In terms of coloration, crickets are usually brown or black, while cicadas are often brightly colored, making them all the more eye-catching.
Lastly, when it comes to activity, crickets are mostly active at night, chirping to attract mates, while cicadas are active during the day and make loud singing sounds to attract mates.
Physical Features
Crickets and cicadas are both members of the insect order Orthoptera, but they have distinct differences in their physical features.
Crickets are typically smaller in size, ranging from 3-50mm.
They have thin, long antennae that are typically held out to the side, and they have a narrow body shape.
Crickets are usually brown or black in color, and they have long legs that allow them to jump and fly.
Cicadas, on the other hand, range in size from 17-50mm and have antennae that are held straight out in front.
They often have a more rounded and broader body shape than crickets.
Cicadas are known for being brightly colored, often with a mix of greens, oranges, and yellows.
They also have long legs and wings that allow them to fly.
In terms of behavior, crickets are mostly active at night and produce chirping sounds to attract mates.
Cicadas, on the other hand, are active during the day and produce loud singing sounds to attract mates.
Both crickets and cicadas are found in a wide variety of habitats, but cicadas are also known to feed on tree sap.
Crickets mainly feed on plants, while cicadas feed on both plants and tree sap.
Color and Activity Patterns
When it comes to color and activity patterns, crickets and cicadas are definitely distinct creatures.
Crickets are usually brown or black in color and are mostly active at night.
This is because they use chirping or singing to attract mates.
Cicadas, on the other hand, are often brightly colored and active during the day.
They also use singing as a form of communication, but it is much louder than a crickets chirp.
This is because cicadas need to make sure their calls can be heard above the noise of the daytime environment.
Both crickets and cicadas can be found in a wide variety of habitats, but cicadas are also known to feed on tree sap.
This additional food source gives them an advantage in certain environments.
Types of Habitats
Crickets and cicadas both belong to the insect order Orthoptera, but they have distinct differences, including the types of habitats they inhabit.
Crickets are found in a wide variety of habitats, including grassy areas, gardens, fields, and even human dwellings.
They prefer dark, damp places and can sometimes be found in basements, crawl spaces, and even in bathrooms.
Cicadas, on the other hand, prefer more open areas such as meadows, orchards, and wooded areas.
They are also found in grassy areas, but they are more likely to be found in locations with more direct sunlight.
They need the warmth of the sun to breed and also to help them dry out after emerging from the ground.
Diet
When it comes to diet, crickets and cicadas have different preferences.
Crickets are omnivores, meaning they feed on both plants and insects.
They seek out sources of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which can be found in a variety of plants and other insects.
Common sources of food for crickets include leaves, stems, roots, and small insects like aphids.
They are especially attracted to sweet food sources such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Cicadas, on the other hand, are primarily herbivores, meaning they feed on plants.
They feed on sap from trees and shrubs, as well as nectar from flowers.
They are also known to feed on the stems and leaves of plants.
In addition to plants, cicadas are also known to feed on small insects such as aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
Overall, both crickets and cicadas have different dietary preferences and habits.
While crickets are omnivores that feed on both plants and insects, cicadas are mainly herbivores but also feed on small insects.
Both species are attracted to sweet food sources, but cicadas are known to feed on tree sap.
Reproductive Habits
Crickets and cicadas may be similar in appearance, but their reproductive habits are quite different.
Crickets are capable of mating year-round, while cicadas emerge only once every few years to mate.
Crickets reproduce through a process known as ‘stridulation’, which involves the male rubbing its wings together to create a chirping sound in order to attract a female.
Females can lay eggs several times over the course of their lives, and each time they can lay up to 300 eggs.
The eggs are laid in the ground and hatch in about two weeks.
Cicadas, on the other hand, have much longer reproductive cycles.
The adults emerge from the ground after several years – depending on the species – and the males produce loud singing sounds in order to attract a mate.
Females lay their eggs in the branches of trees, and the eggs hatch after about six weeks.
The larvae then burrow into the ground and spend the next few years feeding on the roots of trees before emerging as adults.
In summary, crickets and cicadas have different reproductive habits.
Crickets reproduce year-round through chirping sounds, while cicadas emerge once every few years to mate and lay eggs in trees.
Control of Population
The populations of crickets and cicadas are both kept in check by various natural predators.
These predators can range from birds to small mammals, such as mice and shrews.
Additionally, parasitic wasps, such as the Chrysopidae family, are known to lay eggs in the bodies of crickets and cicadas, which eventually hatch and consume the host insect.
Further, these insects have evolved ways of defending themselves from predators.
For example, crickets can produce a loud chirp to warn off potential predators, while cicadas produce a high-pitched sound that is too loud for most animals to hear.
Additionally, cicadas have evolved a tough exoskeleton to protect them from predation.
Final Thoughts
Crickets and cicadas are both members of the insect order Orthoptera, and although they have many similarities, there are also some distinct differences.
Crickets are smaller and noisier than cicadas, and they are usually brown or black in color and active at night.
Cicadas, on the other hand, are larger and produce loud singing sounds, and they are often brightly colored and active during the day.
Knowing the differences between crickets and cicadas is important for understanding their habitats, diets, and reproductive habits.
With this knowledge, you can take the necessary steps to control their populations in your own home or garden.