What do field crickets eat?

Field crickets are omnivorous and eat other insects, dried organic matter, vegetation, small fruits and seeds. As house pests, they also eat cotton, wool, silk, nylon, rubber and leather, although in captivity, they can be raised on dry pet food. Crickets eat their own body weight in food daily.

Field crickets can cause significant crop damage but provide food for many predators, including birds, foxes, parasitic wasps, turtles and toads. They break down cellulose-rich plant materials into feces that are easily digested by bacteria and fungi, enhancing energy and nutrient flows in the ecosystem. They also consume the seeds of many weed species.