Gecko Time: Attack of the Killer Crickets

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Is there a noticable difference in appearance, aside from the size?

Yes! See photos and description.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Well, I FINALLY got a response from the USDA:

110620-000036 Response Via Email (USDA/APHIS) 09/28/2011 09:36 AM
We appreciate your desire to comply with USDA regulations. With a permit from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, suppliers may import and sell Gryllus assimilis (Jamaican field crickets) to customers in certain States, including California. To ensure that any purchases are made from a reputable dealer, we suggest that you ask a prospective supplier to show you a valid permit to ship to your State. We have received several reports of these crickets displaying aggressive, biting behavior. Accordingly, we understand cricket suppliers are investigating the use of other species.

 

[reps4life]

Well, I FINALLY got a response from the USDA:

Oh, I see now. There is a link to an old post here

 

[reps4life]

Well, I FINALLY got a response from the USDA:

I am obviously a bit confused because I have not read the past posts. Are they just naturally more aggressive?

 

[nnoossss]

hey guys ive become a worm fan lately, well my leo has idk if this is why but how can i make her mealies more nutritious woudnt they just eat the same gutload stuff the crickets do?

 

[nnoossss]

nvm sorry question answered in other post.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I am obviously a bit confused because I have not read the past posts. Are they just naturally more aggressive?

If you click the link in Aliza's first post of this thread, you can read my short article written for Gecko Time. Also, here is my original post:
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=76633
...and the one after that:
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=78194

 

[scm133]

Is it possible to get a few names of "safe cricket" online suppliers? Or are we allowed to do that on this forum?

 

[lilmike]

Wow this is awfult...i work at a petstore so ill see if i can find some info out and mabey shed some light

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

There are cricket growers that are still producing A. domestica crickets, but in my honest and professional opinion they are becoming extinct as a result of the virus that is sweeping around the globe. The G. assimilus are immune to the virus, and are a 'quick fix' for the time being. Other alternative species are being investigated since the 'new' cricket is not an appropriate feeder for many species. I have also heard that the "hybrid" is a big lie and do not exist.

The cricket breeders that still work with the A. domestica (you have to specifically request them) that I know of are:

- Timberline
- Armstrongs
- Ghanns

 

[nnoossss]

my girl will not touch crickets hardly or anymore i assume it is because off this.

 

[contracteryin]

Thats scary o_o and whats even scarier is I believe those are the crickets they sell around here... I'm glad I feed mealworms/superworms.

 

[Dimidiata]

Hrmmm*goes to check his crickets* nopes mine are Acheta domesticus good read though.

 

[scm133]

FYI....I just got confirmation that Grubco only has A. domestica.

 

[reps4life]

Read about a new species of cricket being sold by US cricket suppliers, often without our knowledge, and how these crickets can injure smaller reptiles. Written by Marcia McGuinness. Some of the information in this article appeared in a thread on this forum about the new crickets: http://www.geckotime.com/jamaican-field-cricket-gryllus-assimili/

Aliza

:main_robin:They look different from the ones I have. I wish I hadn't dropped my camera. Then again I don't feed adults so that could be why.

 

[acpart]

There are cricket growers that are still producing A. domestica crickets, but in my honest and professional opinion they are becoming extinct as a result of the virus that is sweeping around the globe. The G. assimilus are immune to the virus, and are a 'quick fix' for the time being. Other alternative species are being investigated since the 'new' cricket is not an appropriate feeder for many species. I have also heard that the "hybrid" is a big lie and do not exist.

The cricket breeders that still work with the A. domestica (you have to specifically request them) that I know of are:

- Timberline
- Armstrongs
- Ghanns

I have been told by expresscrickets.com that they are still shipping A. domestica and that's what they seem to be when I receive them.

Aliza

 

[philly4ya]

Good question! I don't have the answer, as the cricket suppliers I contacted that are doing this stone-walled me. Timberline was the most helpful giving me a plethora of information on the G. assimilis. Armstrong's and Ghann's were also quite candid about this as well. I contacted the USDA by phone, email, and in writing, but have yet to hear back from them directly. From what I gather from the three companies above, if a cricket grower has a permit to raise them they are limited to shipping only within their own State. I'm not sure if this applies to the hybrids.

So is it safe to just buy a smaller size or are they equally aggressive?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Their mandibles are much smaller.

 

[BrightReptiles]

I actually live about a mile from timberline and have a few friends workingbthere. I'm going to look into this. We have bought crickets there and not had a problem, but we buy 3/4" to avoid the chirping.

 

[animeavatar]

Hmm, I just realized that my old crickets looked like the ones in the picture but I dunno, when they bit me( only twice), all I did was scream in suprise no blood so do you think it is the evil crickets?