Field Crickets and Grasshoppers Most species of crickets and grasshoppers overwinter as eggs in the soil, hatch in May and June, and mature in August and September. Injury to strawberries can occur any time between egg hatch and frost in the fall. Damage is generally most severe in late summer and early fall as the insects move into gardens from surrounding lawns, fields and weedy areas. If significant migration from surrounding areas is occurring, reapplying the insecticide may be necessary to protect the strawberries. Control is enhanced if infested border areas are also treated.
Most species are brown, black, or black with four yellow or orange spots.
The wing covers are short, leaving the tip of the abdomen exposed. Larvae are small, white to brown, and soft-bodied, and may have small fingerlike projections along each side of the body. Adults are attracted to ripe, damaged, fermenting or decaying plant material. Both adults and larvae feed in such material. Injury to strawberries is restricted to ripe or overripe berries, which are partially or completely consumed by these insects.