Cicada vs. Cricket — What's the Difference?

Known for the males' distinctive mating call.

Considered a sign of good luck in some cultures.

A large insect known for its loud song.

A small, chirping insect active at night.

Insect with a lifecycle that can span over a decade.

An important part of the food chain.

Plays a significant role in the ecosystem.

Known for its chirping sound made by wing-rubbing.

Emerges from the ground to mate.

Can be found in various environments.

The cicadas ( or ) are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs). They are in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, along with smaller jumping bugs such as leafhoppers and froghoppers.

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a 22-yard (20-metre) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striking the ball bowled at the wicket with the bat (and running between the wickets), while the bowling and fielding side tries to prevent this (by preventing the ball from leaving the field, and getting the ball to either wicket) and dismiss each batter (so they are "out").

Any of various insects chiefly of the family Cicadidae, having a broad head, membranous wings, and in the male a pair of resonating organs that produce a characteristic high-pitched, droning sound.

Any of various orthopteran insects of the family Gryllidae, having long antennae and legs adapted for leaping. The males of many species produce a shrill chirping sound by rubbing the front wings together.

Any of several insects in the superfamily Cicadoidea, with small eyes wide apart on the head and transparent well-veined wings.

(Sports) An outdoor game played with bats, a ball, and wickets by two teams of 11 players each.

The periodical cicada.

Good sportsmanship and fair conduct

Any species of the genus Cicada or of the family Cicadidae. They are large hemipterous insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a shrill sound by peculiar organs in the under side of the abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species (Cicada septendecim) is called the seventeen year locust. Another common species is the dogday cicada.

A small wooden footstool.

Stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched drone

A ridged structure made of two adjoining triangular pieces covered with flashing or roofing material and built at the upper intersection of a roof and chimney to divert water and prevent the accumulation of snow and debris. Also called saddle.

To play the game of cricket.

An insect in the order Orthoptera, especially family Gryllidae, that makes a chirping sound by rubbing its wing casings against combs on its hind legs.

In the form crickets: absolute silence; no communication.

A signalling device used by soldiers in hostile territory to identify themselves to a friendly in low visibility conditions.

A relatively small area of a roof constructed to divert water from a horizontal intersection of the roof with a chimney, wall, expansion joint, or other projection.

An aural warning sound consisting of a continuously-repeating chime, designed to be difficult for pilots to ignore.

(sports) A game played outdoors with bats and a ball between two teams of eleven, popular in England and many Commonwealth countries.

An act that is fair and sportsmanlike.

A variant of the game of darts. See Cricket (darts).

A wooden footstool.

To play the game of cricket.

An orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllus, and allied genera. The males make chirping, musical notes by rubbing together the basal parts of the veins of the front wings.

A low stool.

A game much played in England, and sometimes in America, with a ball, bats, and wickets, the players being arranged in two contesting parties or sides.

A small false roof, or the raising of a portion of a roof, so as to throw off water from behind an obstacle, such as a chimney.

To play at cricket.

Leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together

A game played with a ball and bat by two teams of 11 players; teams take turns trying to score runs

Play cricket

Male cicadas produce loud noises to attract females for mating purposes.

Cicadas are larger with clear wings and produce a buzzing sound, while crickets are smaller, have long antennae, and chirp by rubbing their wings.

Crickets are omnivorous, eating plants, fungi, and occasionally small insects.

Crickets typically live about a few months, depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Cicadas are not harmful to humans but can damage young trees and plants when laying eggs.

Crickets chirp at night for mating purposes and to establish territory, utilizing the cooler, quieter nighttime environment.

Some cricket species can fly short distances, but many are more adept at jumping.

Cicada nymphs feed on sap from plant roots while underground, which sustains them through their developmental stages.

Yes, both cicadas and crickets are edible and are considered delicacies in some cultures, known for their protein content.

Cicada emergences, especially the periodic ones, are significant ecological events, providing a massive food source for predators and stimulating the ecosystem.

Crickets are attracted to warm, moist environments and can enter homes in search of food.

In many cultures, crickets are considered symbols of good fortune and prosperity, and their presence is welcomed.

Some cicada species emerge annually, while others, known as periodical cicadas, emerge every 13 or 17 years.

Cicadas do not bite or sting. They are harmless to humans.