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Although crickets
developed in and are adapted for hot and dry desert conditions,
they are quite capable of surviving cold winters. Rubbish
tips and compost heaps provide summer habitat for these
insects. Crickets will often seek shelter indoors during
winter months and are associated with permanently heated premises. |
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Image
Copyright - Aventis Environmental Science 1964. Reproduced with
kind permission of Aventis Environmental Science. |
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Class: |
Insecta |
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Order: |
Orthoptera |
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Family: |
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Large
populations of crickets may build up in warm indoor areas such as
heating ducts and as such may become a problem. Damage to
foodstuffs and textiles may occur. |
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The "Chirping
noise " or stridulation of the male cricket is characteristic
of this group. After mating, several hundred eggs are laid
over a number of weeks. In the indoor environment, eggs are
laid in most moist and protected areas.
Incomplete metamorphosis is
followed, with 7 - 9 nymphal stadia. Crickets are not active
below 18�c, and proceed at optimum developmental speed at around
35�c.
Omnivorous in their feeding habits,
water is more important as a limiting factor than food. |
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Control of crickets in
situations such as hospitals, prisons and swimming baths can be
difficult. Monitoring is recommended as a means of tracking
down pockets of infestation, with focus on micro environment where
harbourage and breeding occur.
Where applicable, residual
insecticides will provide means of control, subject to local
regulations.
It should be noted that immature
stages of this insect do not stridulate, and so locating them by
sound alone will not be effective. |
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