Jerusalem crickets, also known as potato bugs, are fascinating creatures that often leave many people curious about their habitat and lifestyle. These large, flightless insects are native to the western United States and Mexico, and typically reside in dry, grassy environments, as well as mountainous regions.
You may come across these crickets under rocks, logs, or other dark, sheltered areas during the day. The reason for this is that they are primarily nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. The different habitats that Jerusalem crickets live in are essential to their survival, providing them with the right conditions for feeding and breeding.
Overall, Jerusalem crickets are an intriguing insect species, with their habitats stretching across a variety of environments. It’s essential to respect their natural habitats, ensuring that these fascinating creatures can continue to thrive and contribute to the ecosystem.
Classification and Appearance
Taxonomy
Jerusalem crickets belong to the insect order Orthoptera. They are part of the family Stenopelmatidae, within the subfamily Stenopelmatinae. The genus Stenopelmatus and Ammopelmatus are the most well-known, containing several species of these fascinating insects. They reside in the phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta, which includes other insects such as crickets and grasshoppers.
Physical Description
These flightless insects have a unique appearance, featuring a large, rounded head and shiny, striped abdomen. Their bodies are typically 1-2 inches in length, and they have six spiny legs that help them navigate through their environments. The following features characterize Jerusalem crickets:
- Large, round head
- Shiny, striped abdomen
- Flightless
- Six spiny legs
Here’s a brief comparison of the Jerusalem cricket with another member of the order Orthoptera, the Gryllidae (true crickets):
| Feature | Jerusalem Cricket | True Cricket (Gryllidae) |
|---|---|---|
| Wings | Flightless | Usually have wings |
| Body Length | 1-2 inches | Varies, typically smaller |
| Head | Large, round | Smaller, less rounded |
| Abdomen | Shiny, striped | Less shiny, more uniform |
As you can see, Jerusalem crickets have quite a distinct appearance, setting them apart from other insects within the Orthoptera order. Their unique physical characteristics help them adapt to and survive in their environments.
Habitat and Distribution
Geographical Range
Jerusalem crickets or potato bugs are mainly found in the western United States, including California. They also inhabit some parts of Mexico and Central America. In North America, their distribution extends northward up to parts of Canada.
Examples of where you might encounter Jerusalem crickets include:
- Western United States, such as California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
- Parts of Central America, including Mexican regions.
- Some regions in the southern area of Canada.
Preferred Environment
Jerusalem crickets reside in a variety of habitats. They are commonly found in moist, cool environments like gardens, fields, and under rocks or logs. You may also find them in some dry, grassy areas.
Here are some preferred environments of Jerusalem crickets:
- Moist and cool environments like gardens and fields.
- Under rocks or logs, which offer protection and moisture.
- Comfortable in some dry, grassy areas.
Keep in mind that Jerusalem crickets are nocturnal creatures, so they typically stay hidden during the day. You are more likely to encounter them during dusk or nighttime when they venture out to find food and mates. Overall, the habitat and distribution of Jerusalem crickets indicate their adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions found in western North America and parts of Central America.
Behaviour and Communication
Daily Activity
Jerusalem crickets, known for their unique appearance and intriguing behavior, are primarily nocturnal creatures. They spend their days hidden underground or under rocks and emerge at night to search for food. This helps them avoid predators and the harmful rays of the sun.
Sound Production
You might be surprised to learn that Jerusalem crickets employ various methods of communication, including hissing and drumming sounds. When they feel threatened, they produce a hissing noise by rubbing their back legs together. They also use vibrations to communicate with potential mates or rivals. For example, they may create drumming sounds by hitting their abdomen against the ground or a nearby object.
Mating Rituals
When looking to mate, Jerusalem crickets engage in a fascinating courtship display. The male cricket will produce a drumming sound to attract a female. If interested, female crickets respond by creating their own vibrations. This back-and-forth exchange is essential to their mating rituals.
During mating, the male Jerusalem cricket will:
- Approach the female from behind
- Gently tap her abdomen to signal his intentions
Below is a comparison table highlighting the communication methods used by Jerusalem crickets:
| Type of Sound | Method of Production | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Hissing | Rubbing back legs together | Defense |
| Drumming | Hitting abdomen on surfaces | Mate attraction |
By understanding Jerusalem crickets’ behavior and communication methods, you can gain a deeper appreciation for these intriguing creatures.
Diet and Predation
Eating Habits
Jerusalem crickets are known for their diverse diet. They primarily feed on nonwoody roots and tubers, which they find underground. You might also find them munching on insects like garden pests. These crickets play an essential role in controlling infestations of potentially harmful insects in gardens.
Predatory Behaviour
Despite their appearance, Jerusalem crickets are not venomous or dangerous to humans. They do have a powerful bite, but it is mostly used for hunting prey and not for self-defense. As far as predators go, Jerusalem crickets have a few natural enemies. Common predators include:
- Bats
- Coyotes
- Skunks
- Foxes
These predators play a crucial role in keeping the population of Jerusalem crickets in check. This helps maintain a balanced ecosystem where each species can continue to coexist.
So, next time you encounter a Jerusalem cricket, remember that it’s a helpful garden ally, and not a dangerous or venomous creature. Instead, appreciate the role it plays in your garden ecosystem and the food chain.
Reproduction and Lifecycle
Egg Laying
During mating, both male and female Jerusalem crickets engage in a “drumming” behavior, where they strike the ground repeatedly with their abdomens to communicate and locate each other source. After mating, the female lays white, oval-shaped eggs in the soil in small masses source.
Development Stages
Jerusalem crickets undergo several developmental stages. After hatching from eggs, nymphs emerge. They closely resemble adult crickets in appearance but are smaller and have a lighter color. Nymphs molt up to about 10 times before reaching adulthood source.
During their life cycle, Jerusalem crickets may take 2 to 5 years to reach maturity, depending on geographical latitude source. Adult crickets are large, about 1 ½ to 2 inches in length, and have strong jaws for chewing source. Once they reach adulthood, they live for an additional 2 to 6 months before dying.
Here are some key characteristics of Jerusalem crickets during their life cycle:
- Nymphs resemble smaller adults and molt about 10 times.
- Adults have strong jaws for chewing.
- They take 2 to 5 years to mature depending on location.
- Adults live for an additional 2 to 6 months.
The Jerusalem Cricket and Humans
Are They Dangerous?
Jerusalem crickets, also known as potato bugs, sand crickets, or stone crickets, are usually harmless to humans. They have mandibles that can deliver a painful bite if mishandled, but they don’t pose a significant threat. Some things to note about their interactions with humans include:
- They have no wings or powerful hind legs to help them escape.
- They are not aggressive unless threatened or roughly handled.
- They can emit a foul smell when disturbed, similar to some beetles.
- They live mostly underground and feed on organic matter, so they’re rarely encountered.
Nevertheless, it’s important to treat them with caution if you do come across one, mainly to avoid a painful bite.
Cultural References
Jerusalem crickets are also called “child of the earth,” “skull insect,” or “niño de la tierra” in Spanish, due to their distinctive appearance and cultural references. Although they might seem rare or mysterious due to their mostly hidden lifestyle, they are not considered endangered.
Different species of Jerusalem crickets belong to the genus Stenopelmatus, such as Ammopelmatus fuscus. People’s views about these insects can vary, ranging from fascination to fear.
In conclusion, Jerusalem crickets don’t pose significant danger to humans unless provoked, and they have an intriguing presence in various cultural aspects. Remember to keep a respectful distance if you encounter one, and appreciate their role in the ecosystem as natural decomposers and their unique cultural symbolism.
48 Comments.
I found this bug in my yard this morning and had’nt ever seen one before. I came across your website and oddly enough its a Potato bug. I live in Sand Springs , OK. But this isnt the only bug i have found here that i dont know what it is, lol… But i am glad i found your site. thanks…Bobbie
OMG! I just discovered one in my yard tonight! I’ve never seen one, it was alarming how big and it’s tentacles…i had to search on what it was! i’m gladtoo this site was here!
-kim
PS I’m in Reno Nevada
I live in the Eastern part of Washington State and we have thus far found a total of 4 of those nasty things at our house, including one running around in the laundry room… my poor mother almost wet herself! These have to be the grossest bugs I’ve ever seen!!
this is a bug I know from my childhood in Miami, Florida. I swear to you! I just searched for it as a chinch bug, because that’s what I used to call them. I would see them in my yard and used to hear my father say we had chinch bugs if we had brown spots in the yard. I assumed that’s what a chinch bug was. Thank you for the site. I just saw a photo of a dog that looked JUST LIKE ONE! had to find a photo of this bug to show the owner of the dog.
We live in central Oklahoma and have a lake house at Eufaula in southeast Oklahoma. Over the weekend we also found one of this ugly creatures in our laundry room (at Eufaula) – had no idea what it was. OSU County Extension offices helped me to identify it. Glad to know it’s not poisonous – although a pretty scary. They told us they see them quite often here. Hope not! Don’t care to ever see another one.
I live in Western Oklahoma, close to the Texas Panhandle border. This morning I found one of these bugs by my car. I put him in a cup so my 5 year old son could see him. Then we couldn’t figure out what it was. I looked up “American Burying Beetle” pictures on the internet, and I found this site. And here is my bug! Glad to know what it is.
I seriously want a toy of this bug…
On the other hand, I have never heard them called any of those names. Well, one is close. I grew up calling them “niños de la tierra” which keeps them gender neutral (children) or male (boys) depending upon what translation is applied to niño. In any case, love the different names and I kind of like the cricket… As long as it stays out of my shoes, not under my couch and all of the other numerous places I have found them in.
Thanks for relaying your firsthand experience JoAnn.
I found the same bug in my house yesterday in San Rafael California after a big rain storm. It is a very scary bug. I caught it alive and put it in a sealed zip lock bag. It does not seem afraid of people as I caught it easily. I have it in my desk now. Should I send you a picture?
We would love your photo. Please use our standard submission form which can be found at https://www.whatsthatbug.com/ask-whats-that-bug/
We have disscovered these horrid little creatures all in our front side and back yards they burrow everywhere. How. Can we get rid of them naturally?
We do not provide extermination advice.
PS. Thank you and we live in Gage
This is closest photo that I’ve seen of the creature that landed on my windshield last spring(2013). No, I did’nt take a pic because I was too busy getting my windows up so it would’nt get in my car with me! The underside was white &it was HUGE(2-3) in length & maybe 2 inches wide.I (currently) live Jacksonville, Florida.
We call these sand puppies in Wyoming 🙂
We have covered the name Sand Puppies in the past, and we also believe it might refer to Solifugids.
Living in the Tampa area, the potato bug is indeed here. I see them all the time. I lived in California for many years and I can attest that it is the same bug.
Interesting. We wonder if Potato Bugs were introduced to Florida.
I see these guys in my yard from time to time and I also live in Miami, Florida. My dad also blames them for the dead brown spots in the grass. Have found a few floating in my pool dead in the morning from time to time.
I found one in north eastern Florida (Jacksonville). Never seen one before.
In Florida? We suspect it was introduced either accidentally or purposefully.
My understanding was the opposite. It’s a Jerusalem cricket that’s commonly called a potato bug. Furthermore, actual potato bugs are the little black rolly pollies because they actually will burrow to eat potatoes. Let me know where I’m mistaken please.
Common names are deceptive, but both Jerusalem Cricket and Potato Bug are commonly used for members of the genus Stenopelmatus.
I’ve never heard those terms before to described these bugs and I’m mexican . I’ve these alot in southern California and family and friends – we have known these generally as ” Niño de la tierra” as Joann mentioned just not as generally termed. “niño (s) ” kids/ child .
Niño de la Tierra is also the Spanish name that we have found most commonly used.
Thanks for the identification of this bug.
Why do people call woodlouse (Sowbug, roly poly, etc) Potato bugs when they are obviously absolutely not the same thing?
So a Jerusalem Cricket is the same thing as a Potato Bug, right?
And a Roly Poly-Sowbug is a Woodlouse, correct?
So why do people call woodlouse, Potato Bugs?
Do they have any relativity to each other?
Thanks, Ashley
We cannot account for all regional names, but the reason common names are not scientific is that they allow a single creature to have multiple names and the same name to be used for multiple creatures. Jerusalem Cricket and Potato Bug are both common names for Orthopterans in the genus Stenopelmatus. Roly-Poly, Sowbug and Woodlouse are all common names for Crustaceans in the Suborder Oniscidea.
Thanks for the identification of this bug.
Why do people call woodlouse (Sowbug, roly poly, etc) Potato bugs when they are obviously absolutely not the same thing?
So a Jerusalem Cricket is the same thing as a Potato Bug, right?
And a Roly Poly-Sowbug is a Woodlouse, correct?
So why do people call woodlouse, Potato Bugs?
Do they have any relativity to each other?
Thanks, Ashley
Just killed one Pensacola fl
Just fished one out of pool, my 12 year old daughter knew exactly what it was. Marco Island Florida.
I wonder if people are confusing Jerusalem cricket sightings with mole cricket sightings, which are found in Florida. I studied Jerusalem crickets and Florida is not their range as others have stated.
I grew up in a small town near roseburg in Douglas county. I played with these guys all the time. They are often over looked because they do not just hop around like crickets and grasshoppers but actually spend a majority of their time under the ground. I used to dig for them when I was small. They are quite common in oregon especially from Douglas county south.
I’m mexican and I have always known these bugs as “cara de niño”.
We have seen that Spanish name previously.
I found this bug twice when living in Bend, Oregon. My family and I have been trying to figure out what this bug was called for 17 years(found when I was 8, 25 now). This Potato Bug is one of the coolest creatures I have ever found. We had put it in a jar with a Scorpion and the next morning we had found that during the night it had eaten the whole Scorpion except for the stinger. Really awesome bug. We also put it with a Lizard and the same thing happen, it ate everything except for the tail.
I really appreciate this site. Stumbled on this today by accident googling a lady larva that I found in my store.
I found this bug twice when living in Bend, Oregon. My family and I have been trying to figure out what this bug was called for 17 years(found when I was 8, 25 now). This Potato Bug is one of the coolest creatures I have ever found. We had put it in a jar with a Scorpion and the next morning we had found that during the night it had eaten the whole Scorpion except for the stinger. Really awesome bug. We also put it with a Lizard and the same thing happen, it ate everything except for the tail.
I really appreciate this site. Stumbled on this today by accident googling a lady larva that I found in my store.
What the he’ll do these bugs do cause I just found one on my floor at my campsite..dammmmn
Just found one in my pool in Venice FL. I had no idea what it was but my husband knew. He had seen them a lot in CA.
My husband has killed one a day for the last 3 days, in our garage. We live in Kissimmee, Florida. We also have new, brown areas in our front yard.
Dear Zion Hiker i hope you had a nice visit. I am a local in Zion for 40 years. We just went through a record breaking cold snap starting about the time of your visit. I like to think that is what killed the Jerusalem cricket aka ” dirt baby”. It is also interesting that you saw a tarantula. A friend took photos of one just last week. This is not the season for them,it’s too late. I wonder if it is because the summer rains failed this year? Anyway i hope you don’t get tagged with “unnecessary carnage”!? Unless, of course… Come back and visit again. I love WTB and the wonderful service they provide.
Also, it could have resisted an attack by a gray fox or a jay or raven and died of injuries. At this time of year it is easy to know if there is a fox nearby because they are eating tunas and leave tuna colored turds on their favorite stations. I don’t know how they get past the spines! Wishing all best for who might read this folklore.
I’ve found a few near our barn in Brevard County, Central Florida. Definitely not mole crickets as they don’t have the front feet for digging. I’m certain these were Jerusalem crickets.
Just pulled one out of my pool filter, in Springhill Fl. I recognized it from my time at Camp Pendleton CA.
These have existed in Miami since atleast the late 1970’s. I used to find these guys under my grandmothers potted plants. 100% same insect. I don’t see much of them anymore though. Last time I have seen one was about a year ago in Homestead, Florida.. a suburb of Miami.
Yep! I remember playing with them as a kid back in the 80s — in St. Petersburg, Florida. I was so surprise to learn here (and with additional research) that they are *not* supposed to be in Florida. When I was young, they liked to come out after it rained, or we were playing with the hose. They were cute.
Just found one right outside my house in Wellington, FL. I was worried they had just been introduced because everywhere else on the internet it was said they’re from the western U.S. but this thread makes it look like they’ve been here for years.