The larvae vary from stalk borers to foliage feeders. Among the agriculturally destructive members of the family are the sod webworms, the lesser cornstalk borer, and the European corn borer. The larvae of sphinx moths almost always have a spinelike projection on their eighth abdominal segment and, therefore, are commonly known as hornworms. These voracious foliage feeders are a threat to many solanaceous crops. Grasshoppers and crickets develop gradually, the young bearing much resemblance to the adults.
All life stages have chewing mouthparts.
This order contains a limited number of agricultural pests. This family is among the most destructive of all Orthoptera. Concentrating particularly on grassy plants, nymphs and adults are voracious foliage feeders. Coloration varies widely among species and antennae are never longer than the body. Crickets generally are not considered serious economic pests.