Spring field crickets are the most common black cricket with a slowish chirp in the spring in many regions—ranging roughly through the northern half of the US. After overwintering as nymphs, we are now seeing adults with wings, and females sporting long, needle-like ovipositors (tube-like organ used to lay eggs). Most true crickets, which are characterized by flattened bodies with long, thin antennae, are omnivores that scavenge for dead bits of plants and animals.
Photo by: Carolyn Taber on 5/28/21 in Missoula, MT