Camel Cricket

On November 5, 2012 · Category: Crickets, Camel Crickets and Mole Crickets · 5 Comments

Subject: Super cricket?
Location: Russian River, Northern California
November 5, 2012 2:52 am
Curious as to what type of insect this is;
Body is 1.5 inches, with legs outstretched 4-5 inches. Like a cricket, but lives in a subterranean water well, many of them. Seem to be nocturnal.
Any ideas? Thanks.
Signature: John

Camel Cricket

Hi John,
This is a Camel Cricket or Cave Cricket in the family Rhaphidophoridae. As your letter supports, they are fond of damp and dark places like basements, caves, and apparently, wells.

Great! Now that we know they don’t bite the kids can saddle up and ride them around the yard! Just kidding…
Thanks very much,
John

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