The Jerusalem Cricket is a large, ground-dwelling insect native to Western North America, often sparking fear and curiosity due to its unusual appearance. This robust insect, despite its common name, does not belong to the family of true crickets (Gryllidae) and is not found in the Middle East. They are primarily found underground and are seldom seen. Understanding the Jerusalem Cricket involves looking beyond its intimidating size to its physical traits, habitat, and behavior towards humans.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
Jerusalem Crickets are large insects, with adults typically reaching between one and three inches in length. They are flightless, possessing a stout, segmented body that is generally amber or reddish-brown in color, often featuring distinct black bands across the abdomen. Their legs are thick and muscular, specifically adapted for a subterranean lifestyle, with strong spines that aid in digging through soil.
The most identifying feature is their disproportionately large, bulbous head. This large head houses powerful mandibles, which they use for feeding and defense. The combination of their size, wingless body, and large head makes them visually distinctive.
Geographical Range and Habitat
The Jerusalem Cricket’s native range is centered in Western North America, extending from the Pacific coast states like California, Oregon, and Washington, eastward into parts of Montana, and south into Mexico. They are particularly common in the arid and semi-arid habitats of the southwestern United States, including grasslands, chaparral, and mountainous areas.
These insects are fossorial, meaning they are adapted for a life spent digging and living underground. They require loose, sandy, or loamy soil for constructing their burrows and chambers. During the day, they remain hidden beneath rocks, logs, or debris, where the soil is typically cool and moist.
Common Names and Taxonomic Confusion
The name “Jerusalem Cricket” is misleading and has no connection to the city in the Middle East. One hypothesis suggests the name arose from startled people exclaiming “Jerusalem!” as a polite substitute for an expletive upon encountering the insect’s shocking appearance. They are known by numerous other common names, including “Potato Bug,” due to their habit of feeding on tubers, and the Spanish name “Niño de la Tierra,” or “Child of the Earth.”
Taxonomically, the Jerusalem Cricket is a member of the family Stenopelmatidae, which places them in a group more closely related to king crickets or wētā. This family is distinct from the true crickets. The species found in North America belong to the genera Stenopelmatus and Ammopelmatus.
Behavior and Human Interaction
Jerusalem Crickets are primarily nocturnal, emerging from their subterranean burrows after dark to forage for food. They are omnivorous scavengers, with their diet consisting mainly of decaying plant matter, roots, and tubers. They will also prey on other insects and occasionally scavenge on dead animal matter.
Jerusalem Crickets are not venomous and do not possess a sting. They are non-aggressive insects that prefer to retreat or play dead when threatened. Their primary defense mechanism is their powerful mandibles, which they can use to inflict a painful bite if roughly handled or provoked. Some species can also emit a foul odor as a defensive measure.
Unlike true crickets, they do not produce sound by rubbing their wings together. Instead, they communicate by rapidly drumming their abdomen against the ground, creating vibrations that travel through the soil to attract mates. While they can damage root crops, they contribute to the ecosystem as decomposers by breaking down organic materials.