Field Cricket vs Western Boxelder Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Field Cricket | Western Boxelder Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gryllus campestris | Boisea rubrolineata |
| Order | Orthoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Gryllidae | Rhopalidae |
| Size | 20-26 mm | 11-14 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Field Cricket
Males produce their characteristic chirping song by rubbing their wings together (stridulation). The rate of chirping is temperature-dependent, following Dolbears law.
Did You Know?
You can estimate the temperature in Fahrenheit by counting cricket chirps in 14 seconds and adding 40 — this relationship is known as Dolbears Law.
Western Boxelder Bug
A red and black bug very similar to the eastern boxelder bug but found in western North America. It forms large overwintering aggregations on buildings and fences near boxelder trees. It is a nuisance pest but causes no structural damage.
Did You Know?
When crushed, it stains fabrics and surfaces with a reddish-orange dye from its body fluids, which is why it should be vacuumed rather than squashed when found indoors.