African Field Cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

The African Field Cricket is also called the African Black or Two-spotted Cricket, the latter, as its scientific name, after the yellow patch on the base of each wing.

It is native to North Africa and part of southern Europe. They are some 2-3cm long. The larger female has a long "ovipositor" to bury eggs in the ground.

Like other crickets, males "chirp" by rubbing the top of one wing along the "teeth" at the bottom of the other wing. Only the males chirp and the song is to attract females. They will chirp faster in warmer temperatures.

Diet is any plant matter, particularly fruit and vegetables but also leaves and grass shoots. They are often bred in captivity as food for other captive insectivores.

The nymphs are also black.