Growing up, we had a fascination with these huge bugs we nicknamed potato bugs, though they’re actually called Jerusalem crickets. It’s a bit of a mystery how they got their name, as they’re neither true crickets nor are they from Jerusalem.
Personally, I find them quite creepy, even though they’re largely helpful critters. You’re most likely to spot them at dusk or just after a heavy rain. Overwatering your garden with sprinklers might also bring them out from their hiding spots.
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Meet the Jerusalem Cricket
Jerusalem crickets, also known as potato bugs, are large, distinct-looking insects that often prompt people to seek expert identification due to their size and unique appearance. These insects belong to the Stenopelmatidae family and are not related to true crickets, which are part of the Grylloidea family.
Despite their misleading name, Jerusalem crickets are neither from Jerusalem nor are they true crickets. The name is believed to stem from the exclamation “Jerusalem!” used as an expression of surprise upon encountering them.
Widely found across the western United States and parts of Mexico, these nocturnal creatures are known by various names, including ‘niñas de la tierra’ (children of the earth), sand crickets, and even ‘Devil’s Baby.’ They fall under the Orthoptera order, which includes grasshoppers and their kin, and are known scientifically as Stenopelmatus fuscus.
Jerusalem crickets primarily feed on dead organic matter and other insects, using their strong mandibles. They are adept burrowers, using their specially adapted feet to dig beneath decaying plant roots and tubers.
Although they occasionally feed on potatoes, earning them one of their common names, it’s important not to confuse them with other pests like the Colorado potato beetle or pillbugs, which are also colloquially called potato bugs.
Their vast range of colloquial names and large, flightless nature make Jerusalem crickets a notable species in the insect world, with over 100 species identified across their range from California to Oklahoma and down to Mexico. Their startling appearance and the lore surrounding their names add a layer of intrigue to these fascinating insects.
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Jerusalem Cricket Facts to Know
Did you know that Jerusalem crickets are native to the western United States and Mexico? With several species in this family, these intriguing insects are easy to spot thanks to their waxy, banded brown and yellow appearance. They’re quite large for insects, stretching up to 2.5 inches, and are known for their distinctive, bulky heads.
These creatures are night owls—literally! They’re not equipped with wings, so they can’t fly, but they’re also not the fastest walkers. Despite their lack of speed, their presence is notable, especially due to the unique way they leave trails in sandy or gravelly areas by dragging their abdomen across the ground, which can create a faint scratching sound.
Jerusalem crickets have a robust structure, featuring a humpback similar to that of a camel cricket, and sport yellow and black stripes on their backs. Their powerful jaws are a standout feature, capable of cutting through plastic and fabric. Although their bite can be quite painful, it’s not dangerous since they’re not venomous.
Generally peaceful unless provoked, these crickets prefer to avoid conflict by playing dead when threatened. They’re more active during the night or after rainfall, when they come out to feed and mate. They thrive in sandy environments and often take shelter under rocks, logs, or even in cooler, dark spaces like garages or sheds during hot days.
Interestingly, unlike their chirping cricket cousins, Jerusalem crickets produce a drumming sound for mating by beating their abdomen against the ground. And despite their name, they don’t have a taste for potatoes and sadly, they can’t swim!
So, if you come across one of these fascinating creatures, remember—they’re more scared of you than you are of them! Just keep your hands clear of their mouths, and you’ll both be just fine.
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In-Depth Look at Their Life and Habits
- Understanding the Jerusalem Cricket’s Lifecycle
Jerusalem crickets start their journey as eggs nestled in the soil, spending a significant portion of their early life hidden underground. These nymphs go through as many as ten molts before reaching maturity, with their entire lifespan stretching up to two years.
Adult Jerusalem crickets are known for their distinctive mating ritual that can catch the attention of humans nearby. Both sexes engage in a unique “drumming” by thumping their abdomens against the ground.
This creates vibrations that not only resonate through the soil to signal potential mates but can also be heard by people up to 60 feet away. Each type of Jerusalem cricket has its own drum pattern, making each species’ call uniquely identifiable.
Once they mate, the female lays her eggs and might consume the male. The eggs hatch within a few weeks, releasing nymphs that immediately start searching for food.
Depending on their species and environmental conditions, they may continue to molt ten or more times over two to five years before finally reaching adulthood—a phase that tragically lasts only about two to six months.
- Diet of the Jerusalem Cricket
These crickets have a varied diet, predominantly feasting on decomposing plant material and other insects. While they primarily dine underground on roots and tubers like potatoes, they emerge at night to scavenge for other insects and rotting vegetation.
- How Big Do Jerusalem Crickets Get?
The typical Jerusalem cricket grows to a length of between 1.2 and 2 inches. However, some species can grow as large as 3 inches. Their eggs are tiny, saucer-shaped, and measure just 3 millimeters across. This fascinating lifecycle and unique behaviors make the Jerusalem cricket a noteworthy subject for anyone interested in the intricacies of insect life.
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Not the Pests You Might Think!
Jerusalem crickets may look intimidating, but they’re actually quite harmless to both people and woody plants. These critters feed on smaller insects, non-woody roots, and tubers, only rarely causing any harm to lawns or vegetables. They’re not considered pests, despite their startling appearance.
I’ll never forget my first encounter with one. While turning over the compost in my grandmother’s garden, I came face-to-face with the largest, most frightening insect I’d ever seen. The shock was so intense that I dropped my shovel and retreated indoors, keeping the encounter to myself until now—you’re the first to hear this tale.
Years later, my fascination with the unusual grew, and I proudly presented a massive, three-inch-long Jerusalem cricket to my high school biology class, possibly earning some extra credit for my brave capture.
So, what should you do if you spot one in your yard? Well, while they might look like they could bite with their formidable mandibles, Jerusalem crickets are actually quite benign. It’s best to just leave them alone.
These creatures are neither poisonous nor venomous, and they contribute to your garden by preying on other, more harmful insects. However, if their presence really bothers you, consider eliminating damp areas that attract them, like ponds or overly wet parts of your garden.
Jerusalem crickets are solitary and reproduce slowly, so seeing one doesn’t indicate a larger infestation. They play a positive role in the ecosystem by helping break down dead plant material and being a food source for various predators. While they might nibble on crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes, they are generally not a threat to gardens.
If you do find one in your home or garden and it’s unwelcome, simply relocate it or let it be. Experts suggest using an insect guidebook to properly identify these crickets to ensure you’re not dealing with a different pest. There’s no need for pest control measures against Jerusalem crickets; if absolutely necessary, they can be scooped up and removed from the area.
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