Every human or animal has a uniqueness that differentiates them from others. Crickets are known for the chirping sounds they make. Contrary to others from the same family like grasshoppers and locusts, crickets have their unique nature embedded in this sound they create. You may have heard a very loud disturbing sound coming from your garden and disturbing your much-needed sleep after a crazy workday. It makes you wonder why crickets chirp at night.
Well, different species of crickets chirp for a couple of reasons. Firstly, most crickets chirp at night however, some breeds sing during the day. One reason why crickets would chirp at night is because of predators. Their chirping sound could draw the attention of their predators so they go quiet during the day to put their predators off their trail. Other reasons include mating and the temperature of the environment.
Why do individual species chirp?
Not all crickets chirp. Some do, and some don’t. The ones who chirp have certain reasons why they do, and most especially, they chirp at night. Different cricket species have different sound wave frequencies and pulsing numbers. Each species sounds different from the other and they also have different pitches. Some cricket sound louder than others. Here, we will know why certain crickets chirp and others don’t.
Male crickets chirp. The male cricket often chirps at night, unlike the female cricket. This is because they often initiate the first move in the mating process. Sort of like the traditional dating style in humans. You would hardly ever find a female cricket chirping whether during the day or at night. Most female crickets often fly to the males who do the chirping, to mate with them. With that said, why do male crickets chirp at night?
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Why male crickets chirp at night?
Most male cricket species chirp or make loud noises to attract female crickets that are mature and ready to mate. Their chirping sound is used for enticing these females.
The louder and more catchy the chirping sound, the more likely they are to get a mating partner. This makes the males compete so very often to be chosen. Male crickets are the initiators.
They spur the mating ritual by chirping. The females, on the other hand, respond only after hearing the chirping sound. Because the female crickets can mate with more than one cricket partner, many male crickets do their best to be the chosen one.
Why do house crickets chirp at night?
Not all species of crickets chirp. Some who chirp include the house cricket. House crickets chirp at night because they are nocturnal insects. This means the nighttime is when they either forage for food or mate. House crickets chirp to mate. Their chirping sound also referred to as calling song is used to attract female house crickets themselves to carry out the mating process. If you hear chirping loud noises around your house or coming out of your backyard garden at night, know that it is a sign of a possible cricket infestation.
Why do crickets stop chirping when approached?
One unique fact about crickets is their ability to feel. They are very sensitive to vibration and would not hesitate to react if they feel threatened. These insects are always on the lookout for predators both humans and other animals or insects. They most often respond to this sudden sound by going quiet, to protect themselves from their predators. The amazing thing is that these insects would sense even your subtle or quiet movement you may make. Unlike humans, crickets do not have ears, so they do not hear sounds. They only feel. Because they always feel susceptible and alert to predators, crickets would instinctively go mute and even blend with their environment so their predators are unable to locate them.
How do crickets chirp at night?
Male crickets make their chirping sounds at night by rubbing the edged part of their forewings together. This action of rubbing their forewings together is called stridulation.
They chirp and perform the mating dancing simultaneously. After this, the female cricket or crickets responds to the call of the male cricket for mating to occur. Usually, the female cricket will mount the chosen male who in turn releases spermatozoa for the female to fertilize into cricket eggs.
When mating is over, the male cricket performs another chirping sound like a song of triumph for successful mating. This chirping is usually brief. It is also a means to stop the female from eating the spermatozoa and mating with another male cricket.
How long do crickets chirp at night?
Crickets would chirp for as long as they can during the night until there is a positive response from the female cricket. Cricket chipping is usually a mating call and involves the male cricket chirping to entice the female cricket. Crickets would stop chirping when they sense danger from a predator. These crickets will go immediately quiet. Unless crickets can mate at night, they might just continue chipping.
Why do crickets chirp in unison?
When male crickets are heard singing in unison, one would think that these insects love to croon in perfect symphony. The truth is these male crickets do not sing in unison just for the sake of it, they sing to attract female crickets.
Over the years, studies have shown that these insects are actually in competition with each other. Each cricket doing a little more to gain favor from an adult female cricket ready to mate. Each male cricket sings a bit louder just to beat other crickets in this wooing game.
Each note of the mating song is taken in milliseconds. So male crickets chirp together to be the best in the mating experience. When a male cricket is eventually taken by the female, he performs a triumph chirp to celebrate his success.
When do they start chirping?
People often experience chirping sounds in the evening hours. This means most crickets who are nocturnal start chirping from the early hours of the evening into the night. When the environment is quiet enough for their loud chirps to be heard.
Do camel crickets chirp at night?
Though chirping is a familiar trait cricket possesses, it is safe to say not all crickets produce the chirping sound whether during the day or at night. Camel crickets are one of such crickets. These species of crickets are not like others, they do not produce any sound nor do they have the organs that help crickets make the chirping sound. You may be wondering if these insects are often prone to be attacked by predators. You should know that they possess long limbs that help them leap at the “feel” of predators. Their leaping often scares predators.
Do crickets chirp all night?
A single male cricket may not exactly chirp all night but since they all mostly live nearby, they may chirp all night. you should know that crickets are semi-solitary insects so they do not live together.
Do crickets chirp more when the weather is warm?
Yes. Crickets chirp more at high temperatures. The higher the temperature, the louder and faster their sound. When the temperature decreases, cricket chirping becomes slower as well. If the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, crickets will not chirp at all. You could use a cricket’s chirping to know a bit about temperature.
How to stop crickets from chirping
There are several ways to stop crickets from chirping. One very important way is by reducing the water or the temperature. It is known that when the temperature is low, crickets may not sing. Another way to stop crickets from chirping is to hunt them down. Hunting crickets that may have invaded your home may be one of the most difficult ways to stop crickets from chipping. Another way is to either become a predator or introduce one. Technically, crickets will stop chirping when they sense a predator around. They will do all they can to hide from their predators. Having predators around is more efficient but you should get rid of crickets if you want to by setting baits, eliminating their food source or contacting a pest control team.
Conclusion
One fun fact about crickets is that they do not have ears like humans, but they feel. Crickets do not have ears like humans, they instead possess a pair of tympanal organs on their legs that enable them to feel and respond to vibration. When crickets chirp, they make a calling song that attracts females.
For some people, the chirping sounds of crickets are pleasant. But if you are one of the many who find chirping a nuisance to your beauty sleep, you should do your best to get rid of them. Generally, crickets are probably hard to stop when they are chirping but you could hunt them down or try other tricks mentioned in the article. One or two could come in handy.