Jerusalem Cricket

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

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

Risks & Benefits

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.

Identified on: 6/20/2026