Insect · GBIF taxon 1723473
Australian Black Field Cricket
Teleogryllus commodusAlso known as Black Field Cricket, Australian Field Cricket
Australian black field crickets are robust, dark-bodied insects best known for the persistent trilling calls males produce to attract mates at night. During dry summer periods, large populations emerge from soil fissures to feed on pasture grasses and agricultural crops, occasionally reaching swarming pest proportions. These crickets possess remarkable sensory abilities, using scent cues to navigate their environment and learn reward locations.
NocturnalVocalPest Species
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Pasture Grasses
- Plant Seedlings
- Organic Debris
Predators
- Birds
- Spiders
- Frogs
ThreatsAgricultural tilling, heavy chemical pesticide application, and severe prolonged drought
HabitatsPastures, agricultural fields, suburban gardens, lawns, and grasslands
Life span8–12 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyGryllidae
- GenusTeleogryllus
- SpeciesTeleogryllus commodus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listening at Night: Locate chirping males after dusk near deep soil cracks or building foundations.
- Using Red Light: Inspect active crickets after dark with a red LED flashlight to avoid startling them.
- Garden Maintenance: Seal cracks along foundations and keep garden beds clear of heavy leaf clutter.
Related Burrower (c) graeme lunt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Franziska Walz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Relative (c) Scott Lewis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Scott Lewis · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Australian Black Field Cricket is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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