What Do Crickets Eat?

Crickets are omnivorous insects, meaning they eat a wide variety of organic matter. Their diet depends on their life stage, species, and environment, but generally, they consume the following:

Plant Matter: Crickets primarily feed on leaves, stems, and grasses. They also consume fruits and vegetables, especially soft or decaying ones, and may eat seeds and grains, particularly in captivity or on farms.
Decaying Organic Material: Crickets often scavenge on decomposing plants and occasionally animal matter. This behavior helps recycle nutrients in the ecosystem, making them important decomposers.
Fungi and Microorganisms: Many crickets eat molds, fungi, and algae found in damp environments, adding diversity to their diet and aiding in nutrient cycling.
Protein Sources: When available, crickets may consume small insects, larvae, or even other crickets.
Water and Moisture: Crickets require a constant source of water, which can come from food or direct provision through water gels or fresh produce. Proper hydration is essential for survival and health.
Diet by Life Stage: Nymphs and adult crickets may differ slightly in their dietary needs. Nymphs require more protein relative to body size to support rapid growth, while adults focus on sustaining energy and reproduction.

For optimal health in captivity, a balanced diet of vegetables (like carrots, lettuce, and spinach), grains (oats, wheat bran), and a protein source is recommended, along with moisture from water gels or fresh produce.

Do Crickets Eat Plants?

Crickets are primarily herbivorous and favor plants that are soft, tender, or decaying, though they can occasionally nibble on tougher foliage. Their preferences depend on availability, moisture content, and nutritional value; crickets prefer plants that are tender, high in moisture, and easy to chew. They are less likely to eat thick, fibrous, or very woody plants unless food is scarce.

Do Crickets Eat Flowers?

Crickets are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, and while flowers are not their primary food source, they will eat certain types, especially soft, tender, or nutrient-rich blooms:

Edible Herbs and Flowers: Flowers like nasturtiums, marigolds, violets, and calendula are often eaten because they are soft, fragrant, and high in nutrients. Herbs with flowers, such as parsley, cilantro, or basil, may also be nibbled.
Petals: Crickets tend to eat petals rather than the tougher stems or reproductive parts of flowers. Soft petals provide moisture and some carbohydrates.
Soft, Succulent Flowers: Flowers with high moisture content, such as hibiscus or certain begonias, are more appealing to crickets than drier, woody flowers.
Overripe or Damaged Flowers: Flowers that are beginning to wilt or decay are more likely to be eaten, as crickets favor softer, easier-to-chew material.
Opportunistic Behavior: Crickets generally consume flowers when other food sources (leaves, fruits, vegetables, or detritus) are limited. They are not specialized flower feeders.

Crickets prefer soft, tender, and moist flowers, often focusing on petals or damaged parts. Flowers are a supplemental food source rather than a primary diet component.

Do Crickets Eat Fruits?

Crickets are naturally drawn to soft, sweet, and moisture-rich fruits, which provide both hydration and nutrients. They typically prefer fruits that are ripe or slightly overripe because these are easier to chew and digest:

Bananas: Very soft and high in sugar, making them a favorite among crickets.
Apples: Especially slices or pieces that are slightly bruised or soft.
Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are highly attractive due to their high moisture content.
Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are readily consumed, particularly if overripe.
Grapes: Soft grapes or cut pieces are appealing for their sweetness and moisture.
Pears and Peaches: Tender, ripe portions of these fruits are often eaten, while very firm or underripe fruit is less favored.
Other Soft Fruits: Mango, papaya, and kiwi can be consumed if cut into small, manageable pieces.
Overripe or Decaying Fruit: Crickets often prefer fruit that is beginning to decay, as it is softer and sometimes easier to digest than fresh fruit.

Crickets avoid hard, unripe, or very fibrous fruits unless other food is limited. Their preferences are driven primarily by softness, moisture content, and sugar concentration.

Do Crickets Eat Grass?

Yes, crickets do eat grass, and it is a natural and common part of their diet. Grass provides both fiber and moisture, and its availability in many environments makes it an important food source:

Tender Blades: Crickets prefer young, soft, and tender grass blades, which are easier to chew and digest compared to older, tougher stems.
Grass Clippings and Decaying Grass: Crickets will readily feed on fallen or decaying grass, which is softer and sometimes richer in accessible nutrients.
Nutritional Role: Grass provides carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins, helping crickets maintain energy for movement, molting, and reproduction.
Opportunistic Feeding: While grass is a primary plant source in the wild, crickets often supplement it with leaves, vegetables, fruits, fungi, and occasionally small insects.
Habitat Influence: In grass-dense habitats, crickets rely heavily on grass as both a food source and a cover for protection from predators.

Grass is a staple for many crickets, especially in natural outdoor environments, but it is usually eaten alongside other plant matter and detritus.

Do Crickets Eat Vegetables?

Crickets are attracted to soft, tender, and moisture-rich vegetables, which are easier to chew and digest. Here are some of the vegetables they are most likely to eat:

Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and cabbage are highly preferred. Tender leaves are particularly appealing.
Root Vegetables: Carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets are eaten mainly in small pieces or grated, especially when fresh or slightly softened.
Squash and Cucurbits: Zucchini, cucumber, pumpkin, and other soft squash varieties provide both moisture and nutrients.
Peppers and Tomatoes: Soft-fleshed peppers and ripe tomatoes are eaten readily, while very firm vegetables may be avoided.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts may be nibbled, especially the softer florets or stems.
Other Soft Vegetables: Celery, green beans, peas, and young shoots are consumed when tender or slightly wilted.
Decaying or Overripe Vegetables: Crickets often prefer vegetables that are slightly decayed or softened, as these are easier to chew and more nutrient-dense.

Crickets avoid very tough, fibrous, or woody vegetables unless other food is scarce. Moisture content and softness are the main factors influencing their preferences.

Do Crickets Eat Dead Plants?

Yes, crickets regularly eat dead or decaying plants. This behavior classifies them as detritivores, meaning they play a key role in breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in ecosystems:

Leaves and Stems: Crickets consume fallen leaves, dead grass, and decaying plant stems. These materials are softer than living tissue, making them easier to chew and digest.
Fruits and Vegetables: Overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables are highly attractive because they are tender, moisture-rich, and nutrient-dense.
Fungi on Decaying Matter: Dead plants often harbor molds and fungi, which crickets also consume, adding protein and other nutrients to their diet.
Nutritional Benefits: Eating dead plant matter provides carbohydrates, fiber, and some micronutrients while requiring less energy than eating live, fibrous plants.
Ecological Role: By feeding on dead plants, crickets help decompose organic material, enrich the soil, and support the food web for other organisms.

Dead and decaying plants are a major component of a cricket’s diet, alongside live plants, fruits, fungi, and occasional small insects.

Do Crickets Eat Fungi?

Yes, many crickets do eat fungi. Their diet is opportunistic, and fungi provide both nutrients and moisture, which are valuable for survival. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Molds and Mildew: Crickets readily consume molds and mildew growing on decaying plant material, soil, or damp environments. These are common in habitats like leaf litter or compost piles.
Mushrooms: Some crickets will feed on soft or decaying mushrooms. Fresh, tough mushrooms are less appealing, but as they begin to decompose, they become more palatable.
Ecological Function: By feeding on fungi, crickets help break down organic matter and contribute to nutrient cycling in the ecosystem. This complements their detritivorous role.
Captive Diet: In captivity, crickets may be offered small amounts of edible fungi or yeast-based supplements to provide additional nutrients.

So while crickets are not strictly mycophagous (fungus-eating), fungi form a natural and important part of their diet, especially in moist or decomposing environments.

Do Crickets Eat Insects?

Crickets are primarily omnivorous but opportunistic when it comes to animal matter. While most of their diet is plant-based or detrital, some species will consume small insects, especially when protein is scarce:

Smaller Insects and Larvae: Crickets may prey on aphids, small caterpillars, or insect larvae that are soft-bodied and easy to capture.
Dead or Dying Insects: Scavenging is common—crickets readily feed on insects that are already dead or weakened. This reduces energy expenditure and provides a rich protein source.
Other Crickets: Cannibalism can occur, particularly in crowded conditions or when food is limited. Nymphs and adults alike may consume weaker or molting crickets.
Eggs of Insects: Crickets may eat insect eggs when they encounter them, again primarily for protein and nutrients.
Opportunistic Feeding Behavior: Crickets are not active hunters; they generally seize insects that are slow, trapped, or already dead rather than actively chasing fast-moving prey.

Insects make up a smaller but nutritionally valuable part of their diet. In natural environments, animal matter supplements protein intake and supports growth, especially for nymphs.

Do Crickets Eat Aphids?

Yes, crickets can eat aphids, but it’s usually opportunistic rather than a primary food source. Crickets are omnivorous scavengers and will consume small, soft-bodied insects like aphids when they are easily accessible:

Opportunistic Predation: Crickets are not specialized hunters. They typically eat aphids that are slow, isolated, or on decaying plant matter rather than actively chasing large numbers of live, mobile aphids.
Protein Source: Aphids provide a rich source of protein and other nutrients, which can be particularly valuable for nymphs and adult crickets during growth or reproduction.
Scavenging vs. Hunting: Crickets often prefer dead, dying, or immobilized insects. Live aphids on healthy plants may be less frequently consumed unless food is limited.
Ecological Role: By occasionally feeding on aphids and other small insects, crickets can contribute slightly to natural pest control, although they are not as effective as specialized predators like ladybugs or lacewings.

So, while crickets can eat aphids, it’s supplementary rather than a major part of their diet. They mainly rely on plants, decaying matter, fungi, and occasionally small insects for protein.

Do Crickets Eat Cockroaches?

Crickets can eat cockroaches, but this behavior is highly opportunistic and usually limited to certain circumstances:

Size Considerations: Crickets generally prey on small or juvenile cockroaches rather than full-grown adults. Large, healthy cockroaches are too fast and robust for most crickets to handle.
Opportunistic Scavenging: Crickets are more likely to feed on dead or weakened cockroaches than actively hunt live ones. This makes them detritivores and opportunistic predators rather than active hunters.
Nutritional Value: Cockroaches provide a rich protein source. For nymph crickets or adults under protein-deficient conditions, consuming small insects—including cockroaches—can support growth and reproduction.
Environmental Factors: Cannibalism and insect predation in crickets are more common in crowded conditions or limited food supply, meaning they might eat other insects only when plant matter or detritus is insufficient.

In natural or domestic environments, crickets are not reliable predators of cockroaches. Their occasional consumption of cockroaches is opportunistic and cannot be counted on for pest control.

Do Crickets Eat Spiders?

Crickets can eat spiders, but this is rare and highly opportunistic:

Opportunistic Predation: Crickets are primarily scavengers and herbivores. They may feed on spiders only if the spider is small, injured, or dead. Active, healthy spiders are usually avoided because they are agile and can defend themselves.
Protein Source: Like other small insects, spiders provide a high-protein meal, which can be valuable for nymphs and adults when other protein sources are scarce.
Risk vs. Reward: Spiders often have venom or defensive mechanisms, making them risky prey. Crickets generally avoid live spiders unless desperate.
Cannibalism and Opportunism: In crowded or nutrient-limited conditions, crickets may eat other arthropods—including other crickets or small spiders—primarily for survival rather than preference.
Ecological Role: This occasional consumption of small arthropods complements their omnivorous and detritivorous habits but is not a major part of their diet.

Crickets are occasional scavengers of spiders, not active predators. They feed on spiders primarily when dead, injured, or otherwise easily captured.

Do Crickets Drink Water?

Crickets require a consistent source of water, but they do not need large amounts at once. Their water requirements depend on species, life stage, temperature, and humidity:

Daily Needs: Adult crickets need roughly 0.5–1 ml of water per day, depending on size and environmental conditions. Nymphs require slightly less but proportionally more relative to their body weight.
Sources of Water: Small shallow dishes or water gels can supply hydration safely. Water gels are preferred in captivity because crickets cannot drown in them. Many vegetables and fruits (like carrots, apples, and lettuce) provide a significant portion of their water intake. High-moisture foods can meet up to 50–70% of their hydration needs.
Environmental Humidity: Crickets thrive in moderate humidity (50–70%). Low humidity increases their water requirements and can cause desiccation, while very high humidity may promote mold growth.

Crickets without adequate water may become lethargic, stop eating, molt improperly, or die prematurely.

Do Crickets Eat Fabric?

Yes, crickets can occasionally eat fabric, but it’s not a normal part of their diet. This behavior usually occurs under certain conditions:

Material Composition: Crickets are more likely to nibble on natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, or linen. Synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon are rarely eaten because they provide no nutritional value.
Nutritional Motivation: Crickets do not digest fabric for energy. Instead, they may chew on it to obtain trapped organic matter, like sweat, skin flakes, or food residues, or simply to satisfy a need to gnaw, especially during molting.
Environmental Conditions: Fabric chewing is more common in crowded or food-limited environments, where crickets seek alternative sources of cellulose or protein.
Damage Extent: Typically, fabric damage from crickets is minor—small holes or frayed edges rather than extensive destruction. It is more noticeable when large groups of crickets are present.
Prevention: Maintaining proper food sources, humidity, and clean environments reduces the likelihood of crickets chewing fabrics.

While crickets can nibble on certain fabrics, it is opportunistic and usually driven by scarcity of preferred foods or the need to gnaw rather than a dietary preference.

Do Crickets Eat Paper?

Yes, crickets can chew on paper, but like fabric, this is opportunistic rather than a primary food source:

Material Type: Crickets are more likely to chew on plain, untreated paper or paper containing small amounts of organic matter (e.g., newspaper, cardboard, or paper with food residues). Glossy, heavily coated, or synthetic papers are generally ignored.
Motivation: Crickets chew on paper mainly to access trapped organic material such as ink residue, food particles, or fibers, to satisfy a gnawing behavior that helps them during molting or maintains their mandibles, or to use shredded paper as nesting material, particularly in captivity.
Extent of Damage: Paper damage is usually minor—small holes, frayed edges, or shredded bits—especially when crickets are kept in large groups or in stressful conditions.
Environmental Factors: Paper chewing increases when preferred food sources (plants, fruits, vegetables, detritus) are scarce. The environment is dry, prompting crickets to seek moisture in paper. Crickets are confined in crowded spaces, increasing stress-driven gnawing.

Crickets can and sometimes do eat or chew paper, but it is mostly opportunistic, stress-related, or for nesting rather than nutritional.

Do Crickets Eat Cardboard?

Yes, crickets can chew on cardboard, though it is generally opportunistic rather than a preferred food source. They are most attracted to plain, untreated, or corrugated cardboard, especially if it contains small amounts of organic matter such as glue, food residues, or cellulose fibers. Crickets often shred cardboard to create shelter or hideouts, particularly in captivity, and chewing also helps wear down their mandibles and supports molting. Cardboard contains cellulose, which can sometimes provide minimal nutritional value, especially if combined with organic residues. The damage is usually limited to shredded edges or small holes, even in large groups, and rarely becomes severe unless other food sources are scarce. Chewing behavior increases under conditions of crowding, stress, or food scarcity, and crickets may also seek moisture or shelter in the cardboard.

Do Crickets Eat Wood?

Crickets cannot digest solid wood in the way termites or other wood-boring insects can, but they may gnaw on it occasionally, usually for structural or opportunistic reasons rather than nutrition:

Gnawing Behavior: Crickets have strong mandibles and may chew on soft or rotting wood to wear down their teeth, create shelter, or access trapped moisture.
Opportunistic Feeding: If the wood is decayed, moldy, or contains organic residues, crickets may consume small amounts of it. They are attracted to softened, damp wood rather than hard, fresh timber.
Nutritional Limitations: Crickets cannot digest cellulose efficiently, so solid wood does not provide significant nutrition. Their digestive system is adapted for soft plant matter, decaying vegetation, fungi, and small insects, not lignified wood.
Environmental Context: Wood chewing is more likely in captivity or crowded conditions, where food is scarce and crickets are seeking shelter or additional moisture.
Damage Extent: Any damage caused by crickets to wood is typically superficial—small gnaw marks or scratches—and they are not capable of burrowing or hollowing wood like termites.

Crickets may nibble on wood occasionally, especially if it is decayed or damp, but they do not eat wood as a food source and rely on soft plant matter, fungi, detritus, and small insects for nutrition.