Diet

• Gryllus veletis, the spring field cricket, is an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder.

• It consumes plant material, seeds and other vegetation, along with small invertebrates and decaying organic matter.

• Individuals may also scavenge animal material when available.

Habitat

• Gryllus veletis inhabits open terrestrial environments, particularly old fields, grasslands, weedy roadsides and other areas with relatively open vegetation.

• It is primarily ground-dwelling and commonly shelters in shallow burrows or beneath stones and other ground cover.

• The species is particularly associated with cooler seasonal climates and emerges from overwintered nymphs to become active during spring and early summer.

Description

• Gryllus veletis is a medium-sized, robust field cricket, with adults reaching approximately 22 mm in body length.

• Adults are generally black or very dark brown, with males usually darker overall and females often having somewhat lighter reddish-brown legs.

• Females have a prominent dark brown ovipositor, approximately 14 mm long.

• Males have short forewings equipped with the structures used to produce their characteristic calling song.