What is this bug?
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
August 5, 2010 6:26 pm
What is this. We found it in my daughter’s room.
Laurie Gilmore
Mashed Potato Bug
Hi Laurie,
This is a Jerusalem Cricket or Potato Bug, or in your case, a mashed Potato Bug. These are large scary subterranean dwellers, but they are quite harmless and should not be subjected to Unnecessary Carnage.
Mashed Potato Bug
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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination
They can bite if they’re really provoked, but I’ve handled many of them (gently) with no problem at all. They’re quite prevalent in the Bay Area, and get squished much too often because they seem scary.