Jerusalem Cricket

Dry, sandy, or loose soil in the Western United States and Mexico, often found under rocks or in burrows.

Omnivorous; they eat decaying plant matter, roots, tubers, and occasionally other small insects.

Nocturnal and primarily underground builders. They are wingless and communicate by drumming their abdomens against the ground to produce vibrations.

They are not venomous and are generally beneficial as soil aerators and decomposers. However, they have powerful mandibles and can deliver a painful bite if mishandled.