Fauna
Insect

Australian Black Field Cricket

Teleogryllus commodus

Also 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
Australian Black Field Cricket reference1 / 7
(c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPasture 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
Classification
  1. OrderOrthoptera
  2. FamilyGryllidae
  3. GenusTeleogryllus
  4. SpeciesTeleogryllus commodus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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 species
Keep collecting in Fauna

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.

—/7
Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…