What characteristic is associated with the life cycle of the field cricket?

The life cycle of the field cricket is classified as a gradual life cycle, which means it undergoes an incomplete metamorphosis. This type of life cycle includes three main stages: the egg, nymph, and adult. In the nymph stage, the juvenile crickets resemble smaller versions of the adults but lack fully developed wings. Over time, nymphs molt several times, growing larger with each molt until they mature into adult crickets capable of reproduction.

Understanding the gradual life cycle is crucial for recognizing the developmental stages of field crickets and how they thrive in various environments. This cycle is important for pest control strategies, as knowing the life stages can inform when interventions may be most effective. The other options do not accurately represent the life cycle of field crickets; complete metamorphosis and direct development refer to different types of development seen in other species, while half-step metamorphosis is not a recognized term in entomology.