Bug Identifier
Cave cricket
Community identification

Cave cricket

Ceuthophilus maculatus

Order & Family
Order: Orthoptera, Family: Rhaphidophoridae
Size
13 to 25 mm in body length (excluding long legs and antennae)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Dark, damp, and cool environments such as caves, basements, crawl spaces, and under logs or stones outdoors.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous and scavenger; feeds on organic material including fabric, fungi, decaying plant matter, and occasionally other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and flightless; known for leaping high and far when startled, often toward the source of disturbance due to poor vision.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans as they do not bite or transmit disease, though they can become nuisance pests indoors by damaging fabrics and paper goods.