Great post on Steroid Nation, about the cultures of doping in both cricket fighting and cricket singing.

The post links to a recent LA Times piece  that says professional fighting crickets, which the article says can sell for as much as $10,000, are typically kept in holding two or three days prior to a big fight to prevent owners from feeding them amphetamines.

The piece also details how cricket singing aficionados sometimes apply a drug to a cricket’s wings to slow the rate of vibration, thereby lowering the pitch. Singing crickets can reach decibel levels of 106.

The article also talks about how both hobbies are growing amongst young Chinese people:

Crickets are taken very seriously in this city, where the best specimens can cost thousands of dollars. But it’s not all about money. Crickets are being rediscovered by young Beijingers eager to appreciate an old and unique part of their own culture. Fanciers here also are organizing cricket fights, and the sponsors of the recent singing contest are planning a competition for the best-looking cricket.

The events are attended by men and women (well, mostly men) who are so impassioned about their hobby that their cellphones literally chirp. The younger generation of cricket lovers share photos of their “babies” over Internet forums.