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. Some species, however, can damage pastures significantly by consuming large quantities of grass. Easily overlooked, members of this group are usually brown or black, with antennae at least as long as their body. Female adults have a needlelike ovipositor which they use to place eggs in soft organic matter. Mole crickets are among the most striking and unique of all insects.