Mole Cricket from Iraq
(10/26/2006) Captured this guy in Iraq
We captured this guy one night in Iraq after he flew into our room. Nobody knew what it was or had even seen it before, even the few locals we had with us were clueless. Our best guess was maybe some giant termite.
Scott



Hi Scott,
If it is not an animatronic spy in the guise of a Mole Cricket, it is the real thing. Mole Crickets are not true crickets, and they live underground. They use their powerful front legs to dig. They are found in many parts of the world including the U.S. This is at least the fourth image of a Mole Cricket we have received from Iraq.

Camel Cricket
(10/19/2006) camel/cave cricket photo
Hi there Bugman!
My husband and I are in the process of moving into a new home, which brings the joy of finding all kinds of new bugs! We've got Box Elder bugs hoping to move in for the winter, as well as forming aggregations on our mail box, trees, and just hanging out. We've got what I believe are some kind of seed or leaf footed bug also hoping to move in for the winter. If I can find another one, I'll send a photo in, I'm having trouble identifying the particular kind I've got (despite using your site and googling) Anyway. I've always had a fondness for crickets, and really loved looking at the cricket section of WTB. Before we started moving in to our new house, we brought a friend by to see the place, and we found this little lady hanging out in what is about to be our library. I just thought I'd pass on a photo, in case you felt like sharing it with your other readers! Love the site!
Prairie



Hi Prairie,
Thank you for your wonderful letter and great photo of a Camel Cricket. We get so many letters from people who are horrified when they find Camel Crickets in the basement.

I forgot to mention (probably because I didn't need any identification help), that we live in Northern Alabama. The first time I saw this type of cricket, I did the same thing most people do, I accidentally mistook it for a spider, jumped, shreiked, and begged for someone to move it away. I just want to add that it seems Alabama natives love this response out of newcomers. We're transplants from Washington state, and I'd never seen a cave/camel cricket before. (I'm more familiar with Mormon crickets and house/field crickets) I've seen so many sick smiles out of Alabamians when they see someone who's meeting a cave cricket for the first time. And I have to admit, it's starting to rub off on me. Just thought I'd share a little fun after the photo.

Camel Cricket
(10/11/2006) what kind of bug is this?
Could you please tell me what kind of bug this is. I found this one in my garage and I never seen one like this ever in my life .Please let me know.
Thank
Chuck Gilliland



Hi Chuck,
This is a Camel Cricket or Cave Cricket. They are often found in damp, dark basements and similar habitats.

Snowy Tree Cricket
(10/02/2006) Insect ID
I would appreciate it if you could help me Identify this Insect. It was found on Oct 1, 2006 in the grass near a saline pond in the Columbia Valley near Invermere British Columbia. It made a noise with its wings spread.
Larry Halverson



Hi Larry,
The Snowy Tree Cricket is sometimes called the Thermometer Cricket because one can tell the temperature based on the speed of its chirps.

Snowy Tree Cricket
(09/08/2006) Better tree cricket pic
First of all, love the site! A beautiful bug hopped up on me during lunch today (I go to Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT) and I didn't even have to navigate past the front page to find out it was a tree cricket. However I noticed that the picture was extremely blurry and pixelated, so I thought I'd send you one that I took today. Check out those antennae!
Xue Sun



Hi Xue Sun,
We don't want to be put in a position to choose favorites in the Tree Cricket photo arena. We can say that your specimen looks like a Snowy Tree Cricket, the Thermometer Cricket, because, according to Charles Hogue, you can determine "the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit if one counts the number of chirps in 13 seconds and adds 40."

Tree Cricket
(09/06/2006) A bug for you
Hi there,
In the past week I have noticed quite a few of these little bugs running around. They remind me of a grasshopper so at first I was a little affraid that they are going to eat some of my plants, but then I noticed they just kind of ran around the leaves, reminded me of lady bugs so then I thought that maybe they would be great for me to keep around for aphids in my greenhouse. Know any information on them? Or atleast what it is?
James Gillis



Hi James,
This is a Tree Cricket in the genus Oecanthus. Immature Tree Crickets will nibble leaves and young shoots, but adults are important predators. They eat Aphids and Caterpillars. The added benefit is that they "sing".

Carolina Leaf Roller
(08/26/2006) Mysterious Bugs
My husband and I recently moved into our newly-built home, north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Our nearly acre and a half used to be forest and there is still dense forest around our home. I've seen quite a few bugs that I have never seen before! Through your website, I was available to identify two of the pictures as a nursery web spider and a stink bug. I wasn't able to find anything on your site that matched the other bug I saw. It had VERY long antennae, looked like a cross between a cricket and a cockroach and was very shiny and red. I'm attaching one close up and one that fits its antennae in the shot. Thank you!



This is a Carolina Leaf Roller, Camptonotus carolinensis, the only know North American species in the genus. It is one of the Raspy Crickets in the family Gryllacrididae. According to BugGuide, the Carolina Leaf Roller: "Bites through leaf in order to form flap. Flap is folded over, edge is pulled down with legs, and then edges are glued together with silk from gland on mouth. Sometimes uses empty Bladdernut (Staphylea) pods in which to hide instead of leaves. " As your second photo shows, the antennae can be five times the length of the body. Thank you for sending a new species to our site.

Mole Cricket
(08/11/2006) Please identify this bug!
Bugman,
Hi, I love your site and I appreciate all the effort you go to to help your fans. I think I've checked every page on your site but I can't find this bug anywhere. I live in New York about one hour north of NYC, I have a large pond on my property. This is the smallest one of these creatures I have found, the largest one was about the length of a cell phone! All told, I have come across 6 or 7 of these. Any information on what it is and wether or not it can be harmful to children or pets would greatly be apprciated. Thanks! Regards,
Nelson



Hi Nelson,
Mole Crickets are subterranean burrowers that can also fly. We get images of Mole Crickets from all over the world, including many from the Middle East that are sent in by are armed forces.

Camel Cricket
(07/08/2006) this is a large one...
These are all in my shed. I live in wanaque, NJ. They are HUGE and UGLY. What are they? Crickets?? I hope you can figure this one out. I've never encountered them until about 2 years ago.Hope you can tell what this is. Thanks!!!
Jolanta



Hi Jolanta,
We haven't posted any recent images of Camel Crickets, but there have been several recent questions. Thankfully you have supplied a new and interesting photo. Camel Crickets like damp dark places and are often encountered in basements.

Mole Cricket in Corfu
(06/20/2006) what on earth is this?
Hello Bugman!
I found this while on holiday in Corfu, Greece. It was about 3 inches long! It was running about on the grass near the pool at our hotel. When I caught it and put it in this empty glass ashtray to study, it made vigorous attempts to climb out using its front 'legs'. After photographing I released it below a hedge where I thought it might find some food - however, a small lizard shot out and grabbed it, carrying it off under a slab there. Later I saw the lizard, still with some of this creature sticking out of its mouth - a far larger prey than I would have thought a 7 inch lizard would take. Could it be a Mantid? Thanks for your help,
regards Philip.



Hi Philip,
We have a vague foggy memory of reading this letter several days ago but possibly not being able to open the images. Thanks for resending. This is a Mole Cricket. They burrow underground.

Mole Cricket takes a dip
(05/10/2006) Found this in our pool
Hi,
Here's another one for you. But first let me say that I found one of those wonderful giant waterbugs, Toe-Biters, swimming in our pool also. My girls jumped in and from under the rung on the ladder came swimming a dark shadow, I swore it was going after my eldest. I finally got it out but couldn't find it after, That probably had to do with the fact that I flung the skimmer as far as I could, girls and me screaming the whole time. What a sight. LOL! These little critters here, about an inch long, have been swimming around in my pool also but I don't think they are meant to only because I find them dead in there also. Any help with what they might be would be great. Not as scary as the giant waterbug but boy is it ugly.
Denise (Texas)



Hi Denise,
Mole Crickets oftne unwittingly stumble into pools.

Mole Cricket in Iraq
(04/09/2006) Need Help Identifying This Bug
Need some help identifying this interesting bug. I am in Iraq serving with the US Army and found this bug on the flight line. Unfortunately it was already deceased.
Thanks
TB



Hi there TB,
This is a Mole Cricket, and judging by the fact that we have gotten three or four prior requests from Iraq, they must be common there. These relatives of Crickets live underground but many species are capable of flight. Your photo is pretty great.

Australian Mystery Orthopteran: Raspy Cricket?
(04/05/2006) Grasshopper
Hi,
I don't know whether you can identify Australian species of bugs. Other people have told me it could be a grasshopper, a cricket or a locust. It was photographed in the south west corner of Australia and he was about 2 inches long, with very long horns; possibly about 6 inches long.
Thank you
Eve Parry



Hi Eve,
Our web search turned up no matches for this interesting insect. This is definitely an Orthopteran, the Insect Order that contains grasshoppers and crickets. The length of the antennae suggests a member of the Family Tettigoniidae, the Long-Horned Grasshoppers and Katydids, but the head most resembles the True Crickets in the Family Gryllidae. We will try to get an opinion from Eric Eaton. We actually did a bit more searching and came up with a very close match in the Family Gryllacrididae,   Striped Raspy Cricket. The markings seem slightly off, but otherwise a good match. They are known as Tree Crickets. Our search lead us to a second site with several Australian species but only two images, neither of which is an exact match.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and your the work you did to try to find an answer for me. On googling Striped Raspy Cricket and seeing a photo, I tend to agree with you. I've been advised to send the picture to the West Australian Museum, so they may be able to confirm that. Thank you once again
Eve Parry.

Hi Daniel,
This is the reply I got back from the West Australian Museum. I have left your email on the bottom to help jog your memory. It's about the identification of and Australian cricket.Eve
"Hi EveYour cricket is a tree cricket, family Gryllacrididae, a close relative of the true crickets. These insects are relatively common, and are generally active at night, on the ground or on bushes. During the day they are usually hiding in a burrow or in some other enclosed space. Most of the species are pale brown, some are wingless even as adults. The females have an ovipositor, a long sword-like process on the end of the abdomen, that is used to inject eggs into the soil. They feed on vegetation, such as grass, or possibly other insects. Their jaws are powerful enough to leave a mark if you put your finger too close to them!Our collection of these insects is not yet properly sorted to species, so I cannot give you any specific name - sorry...Cheers
Brian"

Field Cricket
(03/20/2006) Field Cricket
Dear Bugman,
I stumbled across this picture of what I believe is a regular field cricket that I took last September here in Barrie, Ontario. Are you able to tell if it's a male or female? Are those wings on it's back? What do these guys do during the winter months? Thanks for your help and keep up the great work!
Yvonne



Hi Yvonne,
Your Field Cricket is in the genus Gryllus. It is a female evidenced by the long ovipositor. Those are wings. Field Crickets die at the first frost unless they have sought shelter indoors. Eggs overwinter deep in the soil. The males chirp.

Update from David Gracer (05/31/2006)
www.slshrimp.com
Field Cricket
Although House Crickets (Acheta domesticus) are the ones most often served to the public at insect expositions and similar events, Field Crickets are also said to be yummy. David George Gordon [the best-known entomophagist in the U.S.] has quipped that their Latin name, Gryllus, is an invitation to eat. House crickets are quite easy to raise in captivity and are therefore one of the mainstays of the herpetological pet hobby; they taste like shreds-of-crab-turned-into-popcorn. I usually serve them sautéed with veggies, mixed with rice or another grain. This summer I will try the field crickets, which I suspect will be even more robust in flavor.

Swimming Mole Cricket!!
(03/16/2006) Florida Mole Cricket
Thanks so much for having this site! Since moving to the country I feel like I'm on your site daily! I just wanted to send you a picture of a mole cricket that I took. Ever since March 1st we get at LEAST 1 of these in our pool each night. One night we had as many as 5!
Thanks so much!
Paula



Hi Paula,
Thanks for your kind letter and your artful photo of the poor drowned Mole Cricket.

Wow, that was a fast response! Just wanted to let you know that the mole cricket wasn't drowned. They swim in the pool. They are great swimmers!

Mole Cricket
(03/02/2006) Help! Please
I found this but this evening and can't identify it. Can you help? It looks like an earwig but it would have to be a really big one as the body is over 1.5" long. It looks like it has some small wings growing on its back which I haven't seen in any pictures on the web.
Greg Phillips



Hi Greg,
This is a Mole Cricket and they live underground.

Australian Mole Cricket
(02/19/2006) What The??
Hey Guys,
I found this in my home yesterday in Australia. Very strange bug, never seen anything like it before, looks like a cross between a prawn and a cricket. What do you guys think?
Kind regards
Nick Burgess



Hi Nick,
We have been getting images of Mole Crickets from all over the world lately.

Costa Rican Mole Cricket
(02/17/2006) Grio-Topo
Hi from Costa Rica,
What is this little guy? They call him the Grio-Topo here, which is some reference to a mole. He is about 2.5 cm long, has an articulated body behind the second set of legs, has machete like diggers on those front feet, and a mouthful of teeth. He feeds off grass roots, hence destroying most of our front lawn. They dig mole-like tunnels as much as two feet deep (hence their CR name), and like sandy soils. Hope you can identify him by a scientific name or what he goes by in English. We are curious.
Thanks
scmorgan
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Limon, Costa Rica



Hi scmorgan,
The reference to moles knows no language barrier as the common English name for this insect is Mole Cricket, not a true cricket, but a member of the family Grylloralpidae.

Australian Mole Cricket
(02/11/2006) identification
Dear Bugman,
My husband and son found this bug last night in the kitchen and we are wondering if you may be able to identify it for us. We live in Australia (Victoria) and have a feeling that it may be related to the Potato Bug upon looking at a few examples on your website, however nothing matches exactly. My husband used to see heaps of the them when he was young in his home town of Swan Hill, yet hasn't seen any for ages. He used to call the "cricket moles" because the looked like crickets and they dig in the ground. Isn't it lovely how children make up their own names for insects. We have attached a photo of our mysterious bug and the measurements are 5cm from the tip of the head to the end of the tail (abdomen) antennae?? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Fiona Gibson.



Hi Fiona,
The simple way that children view the world often translates into etymology, since the common name for this insect is a Mole Cricket, Family Grylloralpidae.

Dear Bugman,
Thank you so much for your response, this bug has created so much interest in our household for the past 24 hours, it has been amazing. My husband and I , our 4 and 1 year old sons loved it, and our 7 year old daughter hated it.We even gave it a special house for the night. After taking a photo of it and sending it to you we put him back in the garden so he could find his mum and dad. Once again, thank you for your response and my husband is stoked that he had the common name of the cricket right after all this time.
Fiona.

South African Mole Cricket
(01/11/2006) What is this bug
Hi there,
I stay in South Africa and this bug was found by my dog. It has funny front claws, and it is quite strong.
Thanks in advance.
Fred



Hi Fred,
This is a Mole Cricket, a burrowing insect in the family Gryllotalpidae. We get images from the U.S. as well as the Middle East. Some species are capable of flight.

Camel Cricket
(12/02/2005) Scary Bug - looks like a shrimp/armadillo
I keep finding these things in my house.  Is that tail a stinger?  Any clue as to what it is?
Patrick Mooney
Voorhees, NJ



Hi Patrick,
This is a Camel Cricket or Cave Cricket. They like damp dark places. The so-called stinger is an ovipositor which distinguises the female. She uses it to lay eggs.

Snowy Tree Cricket singing
(11/27/2005) Cricket?
I thought this might be a cricket-it certainly sounds like one.  It was on the wall outside the bathroom door.  The wings are so fantastic & I couldn't find any photos quite like this, so I'd appreciate help on this one too.  Thanks!  Just outside of Walnut Springs, TX. 
Laureen Dozier



Hi Laureen,
What a gorgeous photo. It is our favorite in a long time. It depicts a Snowy Tree Cricket, Oecanthus fultoni, singing away. This cricket is also known as a Thermometer Cricket as it is possible to tell the temperature according to the number of chirps.

Mole Cricket
(11/22/2005) what is this bug?
Hi there,
This guy (or one of his/her friends) have been scurrying around our back porch in Hattiesburg, Mississippi ever since Hurricane Katrina came through. I would guess the guy is two and a half to three inches long, somewhat fast on his feet and rather creepy. Any ideas? Great site by the way!
Thanks,
Wesley



Hi Wesley,
This is a Mole Cricket, and though they live underground, some species can fly quite well.

Snowy Tree Cricket
(11/07/2005) Whats this????
Hi,
It's raining outside and we seem to have a green critter with clear wings that has decided to join us and stay warm. We first thought it was a western tree frog because it makes a chirping sound. We then thought it was a grasshopper. It makes beautiful sound. It looks like a green-winged termite. Can you tell us what this is?
Michelle and Rob,
Santa Rosa CA



Hi Michelle and Rob,
What a wonderful photo of a Snowy Tree Cricket, Oecanthus fultone. According to Hogue, these are also called Thermometer Crickets because their song "indicates the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit if one counts the number of chirps in 13 seconds and adds 40."

Mole Cricket
(11/06/2005) What is this?
Captain Luz Johnson
Security Force
DWC / NASA / JSC



Hi Captain,
This is a Mole Cricket, an underground dweller.

Camel Crickets
(10/28/2005) new visitors
I have lived in my home for 20 years, and NEVER have I seen these new intruders. They let me know they're here each time I go into my basement. HELP!!!! How do I encourage them to move somewhere else??? (I live in NJ, and it has been a very wet October.)
Thanks.....



Camel Crickets love damp basements and we really don't know how to tell you to discourage them. Maybe a dehumidifier. Since you have pictured a pair, you may soon have even more.

Camel Cricket
(10/16/2005) What Kind of Bug is This???
And, more importantly, how do I get rid of them?  They are coming in our basement and garage and invading our home.  Our basement is finished (my bedroom is down there) and I'm so creeped out by these FAST hopping creatures that I won't even get up to use the bathroom without turning on the whole room list and looking around before getting out of bed.  The bug body is an inch or less but the antennae or feelers or whatever they are can be 2 inches or more on the bigger ones. 
Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer.
Beth Clark



Hi Beth,
They are Camel Crickets and they like damp dark places so a basement is an ideal habitat. You might want to buy a small pet lizard and then you won't have to go to the pet store for food.

Field Cricket
(10/16/2005) Big Black Bug
t's big, about the size of a big Grasshopper, black, and it was in my family room in Ottawa, Canada.  Any idea?
Anonymous User



Dear Anonymous
This is an immature male Field Cricket, Gryllus pennsylvanicus. It ranges throughout North America as far north as Alaska. They seek homes in the autumn to escape the cold. Males sing or chirp. We had one take up residence in the drain of our bathroom sink and lived there for months, singing gayly. Your specimen looks dead. Poor Field Cricket.

Actually, he's still alive.  Once I got him off the sticky paper, he came back to life.  He going back outside now that I know it's not a roach or something.  You should have heard my wife scream when she saw him.   Thanks for the info.

Mole Cricket from Australia
(09/29/2005) Help in Identifying a bug
Hi, my name is Jonathan Tindal and I need help to indentify an insect. I live in Australia (Adelaide) and Iv'e never seen an insect like this before. I got lots of Photos (5 mega pixel) but a lot turned out a bit blurry; but I will send you the best one attached below. It has the back of a wasp with 2 stingers, 2 antennas, ant nippers, little claws like a crab and small wings. I checked Austrlaia's csiro but can't find it. Your help would be appreciated Thank you
Regards
Jonathan Tindal



Hi Jonathan,
Nice to know there are Mole Crickets down under. These subterranean dwellers are also capable of flight, and they are excellent diggers.

Herd of Camel Crickets
(09/20/2005) weird japanese insect gang
Not the best photo in the world. This gang was hanging around in a dark hut on a Japanese mountain. When my brother hit his read on the doorway they all started rattling around the ceiling. I`d reall like to know what they were. Interesting looking markings, shame it was too dark and scary to get a better picture.
Thanks.



These are Camel Crickets also known as Cave Crickets. They are fond of dark damp places.

Camel Cricket
(09/07/2005) What's this bug
Hi Bugman,
We came across this bug last weekend in the Randy Stoltman Wilderness area, near Pemberton. It only came out at night. Any ideas what it is?
Warren



Hi Warren,
We have gotten many letters concerning Cave Crickets or Camel Crickets. They often inhabit damp basements.

This just in from Eric Eaton (11/16/2005) "The camel cricket from Warren, found in the Randy Stoltman Wilderness Area near Pemberton, 9/07/2005, is the "squarelegged camel cricket," Tropidischia xanthostoma.  They are huge, attaining a legspan of nearly eight (8) inches!!  Would really like to see that image on Bugguide, as we only have one as of now."

Red Headed Bush Cricket
(08/31/2005) cricket of some sort
Found Jonesborough,TN.  
Mark Hoover



Hi Mark,
We contacted Eric Eaton and here is his reply: "Its a female redheaded bush cricket, Phyllopalpus pulchellus."

Two Spotted Tree Cricket
(08/17/2005) PLEASE!! THIS ONE IS SO BIZARRE!!!!
Good morning...
These images were sent to me by my mom. She lives in southeast Michigan. This insect was hanging on her back screen door. We are abslutely baffled. Hope you can help! Thanks so much
Ryan Myers



Hi Ryan,
We quickly located your Two Spotted Tree Cricket, Neoxabea bipunctata, on BugGuide.

AKA: Female Camel Cricket
(07/24/2005) Female Cave Cricket?
Hello,
I found this giant creature in my damp, dark cellar the other day. Unfortunately I didn't realize what it was and happened to unload spectracide onto it. I thought it was a mutant. Is it a female cave cricket?
Thanks,
Mark



Correct Mark,
The Cave Cricket is also known as a Camel Cricket and the female has the long ovipositor protruding from the end of her abdomen.

Female Camel Cricket
(07/18/2005) Big ugly bug
This guy started hopping around in our small cabana while I was in there this past Saturday and its lucky I didn't kill myself getting through the door (with clothes on!).   > Today it turned up dead in our pool - sorry but I have to admit I am relieved to be able to use the cabana again.  Any chance there are more of them around? I have never seen anything quite like this around here (New Jersey).  It clacked when it landed.  Thanks.  Love your site. 
Sandy



Hi Sandy,
We wanted to check with Eric Eaton regarding your Orthopteran. Here is his answer: "Actually, it is a female Camel Cricket in the genus Ceuthophilus.  There are MANY species, so that is the best I can do." Your photo is amazing and we sympathize with your fright, but they are harmless.

Mole Cricket
(06/29/2005) Help me identify this thing!
I have attached a picture of a bug I found today in the garden. I have never seen anything like this. It was about 3-4 inches long and super fast.  It was burrowing in the dirt. Please help!
Kellie in Oklahoma



Hi Kellie,
You have a Mole Cricket. They live underground where they eat the roots of plants.

Another Iraqi Mole Cricket
(06/15/2005) The obvious question...
While deployed in Balad, Iraq , by friend and I came across this bug. It seems to have the general characteristics of a grasshopper, but has large front legs to burrow, is very strong, and has a slight resemblance of a lobster. I know it sounds crazy, but see for yourself… WHAT THE HELL KIND OF BUG IS THIS?
SrA Hand, Tyler E
726 ACS/ SCMR
Balad Air Base, Iraq



Hi Tyler,
Yours is the second letter from Iraq this week enquiring about the Mole Cricket. This amazing insect spends much of its time underground, but several species are also capable of flight. Chris who wrote several days ago want to keep his Mole Cricket as a pet.

Iraqi Mole Cricket
(06/09/2005) What the heck is this?!
My friend and I recently found this abomination on out base in northern Iraq. What is it!? Can we have a neme and some info? We want it as a pet!
Chris



Hi Chris,
You have a Mole Cricket. They live underground and feed on plant material. Good luck with your pet.

another Mole Cricket
(05/10/2005) Strange Beetle(?)
I found this beetle? on my driveway this afternoon. He's about 2 inches long, pretty thick fast and strong(for a bug). He's got paw like diggers in the front, two long feeler like appendages coming off the rear end and a very interesting cape on the back with patterned stripes in tan which tapers out to a long slim tailin the back. I would be very interested in finding out about him. I have never seen an insect like this before.
Thanks,
Howard Blum
Stamford CT



Hi Howard,
Your insect is not a beetle, but a Mole Cricket. They live underground and use those claws to dig. They are also capable of flying. Yours is the second letter this week requesting an identification for this interesting insect.

Mole Cricket
(05/08/2005) Interesting one...
Hey "Bugman",
I must tell you that I was pretty surprised (And happy) to find a site where I could just send a picture of this interesting bug I just found, and someone would identify it for me.  I'm not naturally particularly interested in bugs, but this site is still going on my "Favorites" list.  Anyhow, I live in South Carolina, and last night I saw this interesting looking bug, about 1.5'' long running around on the sidewalk.  I went to push it with the side of my foot into the middle of the sidewalk so I could see it better, but I accidentally squished it's abdomen, and to my surpise it made a loud popping sound, just like those little white paper things that pop when you throw them on the ground (That you can get around 4th of July, usually...I hope you know what I'm talking about).  Well, when I realized that it had something that looked quite a bit like claws, I decided I had to find out what it is.  Here are a couple of pictures of it.  Thanks for your time.
Gabriel



Hi Gabriel,
You accidentally trampled a Mole Cricket, Family Gryllotalpidae. These insects are usually found burrowing in the ground. Some species can fly.

Camel Cricket
(01/23/2005) some comments about camel crickets
My hubby and I visited a WV cave last year. The tour guide told us to beware the "cave cricket", that it had been known to bite people and cause serious infection due to the fact that it feeds on carion, refuse, etc. It so happens, that a few month later, this huge camel (cave) cricket was in our kitchen. Having believed the tour guide, I tried to crush it with one of hubby's large boots. The next morning, it was no longer under the boot, nor anywhere else to be seen. Thank God, it got away and apparently, wasn't injured. I never saw this huge cricket again, however, there have been two smaller ones that come up often to the kitchen. Unfortunately, the smaller of those two was apparently bitten by a spider. I found it wrapped up tightly and hanging in a spider lair beneath the cupboard, just yesterday. (Dang spiders, but I guess they have to have food too.) The other one, however, (both are males), and I know which one it is because it was suddenly missing it's left rear hopping leg, yes, the big hopping leg ... anyway, this one still comes to the kitchen every 2 or 3 days, late at night. I always look for it and I offer it multigrain bread, which it really chows down on, big time! Assuming they have some hearing ability, I speak softly to it when offering the bread. It seems to have lost any fear, since it doesn't jump away now like it did at first, apparently becoming accustomed to receiving food. I find these critters to be quite interesting and have done what research I can online about them. Meanwhile, I found a neat photo of one that look like the ones we have here, except it's definitely a female and I have permission to use the photo to create a logo for the graphics business I'm trying to get started. (Lotta nice people on the net willing to share, and for certain, I will give the photographer credit for his great picture, which I haves included below. His name is Bob Patterson.) Isn't she lovely? I think so! Not to belabor an issue, but somewhere I ran across a site where they were discussing whether or not camel crickets were satanic! Can you believe it? If I can find that site again, I intend to post a comment there about how goofy they all are, (the people, not the crickets). I've also seen sites that say the crickets eat carpet and clothing ... sheesh! My crickets never come on to the carpet ... they stay on the kitchen vinyl and look for crumbs. Perhaps all crickets are not alike ... but I always hate the thoughts of misinformation on the net for everyone to read. Why on earth would a cricket chow down on synthetic fibers??? Makes no sense. Anyway, you have a wonderful site and I truly appreciate it! Please keep up the great work!
Warmest Regards,
Bunny



Thank you for your great letter Bunny.

Mole Cricket
(01/12/2005) What is this bug
I found this bug climbing out of the ground in my yard during the summer. It’s head was hard but the back portion was leathery. It’s front claws were like a cicada’s. I took some pictures and let it go but was curious.
Darrell



Hi Darrell,
You released a Mole Cricket from the Family Gryllotalpidae. They use their spadelike front legs for digging. They are common in moist soils.

Camel Cricket or Cave Cricket
(11/14/2004) BIG HOPPING BUG IN BATHROOM
I have these huge cricket like bugs in my bathroom and in my linen closet. They leave there nasty little dropping all over my clean sheets. I just walked into my bathroom and there was a HUGE one hanging out on my shower curtain. What the heck are these creatures??



You have a Camel Cricket or Cave Cricket from the Family Gryllacrididae. They are often found in basements and other damp places.

Mole Cricket
(11/10/2004) Houston Texas - New Bug
I live North of Houston in a pine area and after 10 years of residence  I have started finding these new bugs everywhere. The alsmost look crawfishlike from the front. The can get up to 2" long and the from legs seem to have a hand or pawlike look. The back looks like it may have a stinger. (See attached photo) Any help would be appreciated.
Les Osborne



Hi Les,
Nice photo of a Mole Cricket, Family Gryllotalpidae. They get their common name from the fact that they spend most of their time underground, burrowing. They eat plant roots. Some species are capable of flight. They like moist soil. The European Mole Cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, can grow to 2 inches. It is a European introduction is generally found in the Eastern U.S.

Dead Camel Cricket
(10/15/2004) Hi there!
I just killed this bug in my office (sorry, I know that is bad), and I just saw another one hopping around...



Poor dead Camel Cricket.

Tree Cricket
(08/19/2004) Tree Cricket?
I can't tell you what a find you were on the internet.  Today, I was photographing insects on milk weed.  I found six different insects.  These three are not in any of my books. 
They where in Orland Grassland in Orland Park Illinois.Thanks again... you are great!
Suzanne



Yes Suzanne,
You have a the Two-Spotted Tree Cricket, Neoxabea bipunctata, a female .

(08/11/2004) Mysterious Hoppers
Hello Bugman,
I live in Northern New Jersey in a lake community and I've been seeing some weird hopping bugs in my house.  They can get pretty big, about 2-3 inches in diameter, and I'm finding them in damp places.  Mostly I find them in my basement and occasionally my bathrub, although one crawled on me while I was watching tv and scared the crap out of me. I live in an area of huge oak and maple trees but I've never seen this kind of insect outside.  They are dark green in color.  Any info would be appreciated and I havn't been able to find it anywhere on the web.
Brian
Is there such a bug called a 'cave cricket'?  It looks like a grasshopper on steroids.

Ed. Note: Originally we thought these might be Katydids

(08/30/2004) Hey Dan,
I was able to snap a couple pics of this thing last night.  I looked up katydids and the characteristics just don't seem similar.  The habitats didn't match for katydids, but the cave cricket information stated that they thrive in dark, damp places like basements or crawlspaces.  I wasn't able to find pictures of anything like what I took of this thing.
Brian



Hi Brian,
Thanks for sending the photos. As we said earlier, Cave Crickets or Camel Crickets are usually brown or beige. You have a type of Camel Cricket, Ceuthophilus species from the Subfamily Rhaphidophorinae. They like dark damp places and often become pests in green houses. We are not really familiar with your species, which is green and much larger.

Mole Cricket
(08/10/2004) Any relationship between mole crickets and presence of moles?
Hey, Bugman!  Great website, really helpful.
We live in southwestern Indiana, about 10 miles north of the Ohio River and about 20 miles east of the Wabash River. I discovered the fellow in the attached picture during the second week of April.  He appears to be a mole cricket.  I later saw two more and noted the edges of our lawn to (where they meet the driveway) to be easy to lift, sod and all.  I read up on these guys and determined that I did not want to treat the lawn to kill them, but that I could avoid the damage by making sure the lawn was well fed and watered.  The lawn in fact did fine and I have not seen them again (though I am aware they and/or their children are likely lurking below.
A few weeks ago I noted for the first time mole burrows next to the garage concrete wall.  I was later to discover one as I moved to downspout diverter for mowing.  I am wondering whether there might be a relationship to the first time sighting of the mole crickets (if I am correct in that identification) and the later first time noted presence of moles.  I am not basing this on the names, but on the possibility that the cricket lavae are providing the food for the moles. Though my back yard borders a lake on the fairway of a golf course, my across the street neighbors (who do not border the golf course) have also noted the presence of moles this year; I do not know if they had mole cricket issues, but must assume that they did, as well. Thanks.
Just Sittin' and watchin' the fauna devour my lawn.
Andrew



We love etymology as well an entomology, and the name coincidence merely refers to the burrowing habits of the Mole Crickets, Subfamily Gryllotalpinae. Perhaps the coincidence in the appearance of the moles has something to do with your watering habits, which could be attracting more worms from the golfcourse. Moles might eat the young as well as mature Mole Crickets, but they really love worms.

Mystery Cricket
(06/29/2004) Dear bugman,
Please help us identify this fine bug we found, it has piqued our curiousity. It was found dead in the water near our sump pump in our basement. Being bug phobic, I asked my husband to remove the bug. I  went on about how big it was.  It was not until he removed it that he remarked "That is the wierdest bug I have ever seen" So we tried researching but couldn't find
what it was. Your website is a great resource.
-Megan

Hi Megan,
You have some type of cricket, an Orthopteran. Sorry I can't give you a species name, but I will work on it. 

(12/31/2003)
I have been trying to find out information regarding the habits of crickets and hope that you could answer a couple of questions for me. When do crickets lay their eggs? (time of year, time of day)How many do they lay? How long does a cricket live? Do they "Mate" for life? I thank you in advance for any help on this.
Renee Greenman

Hi Renee,
I will try to answer all your questions. I'm guessing you mean Field Crickets, Acheta (or Gryllus) assimilis, though there are many types of crickets which have different habits and habitats. Field Crickets are black and over a half an inch in length. They are nocturnal. They lay their eggs in the fall and the female buries them in the ground with her ovipositor. Several hundred eggs are laid singly in the ground. A cricket that lives an entire year is long lived, and a female needs only mate once to lay eggs, but one could hardly consider them to be monogomous.

Dear Louiseann,
I'm guessing Camel Crickets which have a very high arched back.  Here is an image.  They are fond of dark places and often take up residence in basements.  They are relatively harmless.

Dear Daniel..... you are right on.... our bug is definitely the Camel Cricket....and now you mentioned "dark" , they do tend to be found at night. When we go downstairs in evening and turn light on, we'll spot one or two. Thanks so much - I feel very relieved - they looked so prehistoric!  You are really knowledgeable.  Appreciate your efforts and thanks for getting back to me.
Louiseann

Leaf Rolling Cricket
(9/14/2003) Hello there,
I was wondering if you could help me identify a bug I recently found IN MY HAIR! (ick) I live in Central Illinois and on the day I discovered this little fellow I had been outside most of the day but I didnt realize he was on me until I was in the bathroom so I'm not exactly sure where I picked him up at.
The bug is dark yellow/light brown in color. It has long antennae... almost 3 times the size of its body. It has six legs and can jump like crazy!! My husband also noticed that it seems to have 4 little feelers on the sides of its mouth. The thing that bothers me most about this bug is that it appears to have a large stinger on the end of its abdomen although it hasn't seemed to be attempting an attack. Also, I may be crazy but it appears to be getting darker in color from when I found it yesterday (he was more yellow when I found him).
I've included a picture of the peculiar thing.
Thanks for your help!
Amelia W.

Dear Amelia,
She is harmless.  She is a nymph, an immature orthopteran, maybe a cricket of some sort. Then Eric wrote to us: "The insect from Amelia in Central Illinois is actually a female leaf-rolling cricket, Camptonotus carolinensis, and I'd LOVE to see the pictures at higher resolution. The Leaf Rolling Cricket is more or less, a camel cricket. We still need an example for the field guide." Sadly, these images were very small and we don't know how to contact Amelia any longer.

(8/13/2003)
This bug was found in central Nebraska, it is about 1.5 inches in length. >Head looks like crawfish head? front legs thicker definite spikes. looks >like cricket body with wings but does not fly. rolled sideways to avoid >being caught.

It is a Mole Cricket, possibly Gryllotalpa hexadactyla, a burrowing insect that is injurious to several crops including peanuts and strawberries.

(7/15/ 2003)
I saw this insect in my loft apartment in Augusta, GA. The building is relatively old, somewhere around 60-80 years old I would guess.  Anyhow, the insect I'm writing about is a cricket-like animal with grasshopper-ish big legs. It's relatively gray/brown in color, and quite ugly if I say so myself. Definitely not as exotic looking as a house centipede (which, by perusing through your site, I found out are the things that are also some of my roommates from time to time!).  Anyways, it looks harmless, but it's kind of big in >hat it has a body roughly the size of a marble (maybe a little smaller, or bigger for that matter), and those hind legs are just huge compared to it's body in that the body is not as elongated as a cricket or a grasshopper. Great sight!

Dear David,
It could be a Camel Cricket, family Rhaphidophoridae.  See if this photo looks right.

Austin, Texas (6/03/03)We live in an older house - it was empty several years so we have all kinds of bugs which we try to keep out of the house!  Our worse invader is the scorpian after my husband was stung.  But we also have a horrible time keeping the katydids out of the house. They come out at night and get on us - after the scorpian sting scares you to death.  We kill probably 10 a night - between the 3 bedrooms. Even though they have been harmless I do not want them in the house - can you tell me how to get rid of them? Thanks!

Are you sure they are katydids? which are green and look like grasshoppers. I'm suspecting you have crickets, a common prey of scorpions. Bugs get into the house. Perhaps you should have a contractor find out where all the points of entry are and seal up the foundation.

(5/21/03)How can one get rid of crickets that have found their way into the house?

Catch them and release them.

August, 2002
To whom it may concern:
    My children and I want to keep a singing cricket as a pet. We have tried crickets from the pet store and from our garden, but they never sing in the house. We have a nice cage with food they seem to like; and we have made sure that we keep males. How can we get one to sing?
Maria in Buffalo, NY

Dear Maria in Buffalo,
I guess you already know that you must have a male cricket to get singing. I have known people who bought large quantities of crickets from the pet store to use in art installations as a sound component, so I know that pet store crickets will sing, though their songs are frail. Additionally, store crickets, usually European House Crickets (Acheta domesticus) are not very attractive, since they are an anemic shade of tan. Garden crickets or Field Crickets (Gryllus species) are a beautiful glossy black and have a robust chirp. Singing generally occurs in spring and early summer. I had a Field Cricket move into my bathroom sink drain many years ago, and it managed to hide somewhere in the pipes whenever I ran the water, though I was careful to not scald the free-loader. My cricket would sing constantly. I would recommend locating a cricket in your garden by tracking its chirp. Give it a cool, dark place and hope for the best. I cannot come up with a logical reason why your captives are mute, and I would suggest patience. Give the guy a chance to adapt, and eventually his romantic inclinations should bring on the song.

Dear What's that Bug,
       Being from Georgia I am used to hearing insects chirping at night and even bullfrogs doing their thing in the backyard. I am fond of these sounds and find them relaxing. And I know that having a cricket inside is supposed to be good luck. (Or is it just good luck if it is in your closet?)
      However, the cricket or other chirping insect that is currently residing in my bathroom is not making me happy or relaxed. In fact, it is getting on my nerves and disturbing my sleep. I want to know what I should do. I don't want to hear this sound that sort of echoes around in my empty bathroom but I don't really want to kill this bug, nor would I really know how.
      I have not spotted the bug, but it is really making it's presence known. Any advice?
      Thanks!
      Amanda

Dear Amanda,
     There are many folk beliefs in existence about crickets. Their presence in the home is generally thought to be an omen of good fortune in many parts of the world, and in China they are kept in captivity. The Chinese also match crickets for combat in a sport that is as popular there as cock fighting is in other countries. Extravagant wages are made on the outcome of championship fights.
       The most common species in Southern California is the Tree Cricket (Oecanthus sp.) which is generally found in gardens and is almost always heard and not seen. They are usually green or white in color and only about 1/2 an inch long. It is common knowledge that the chirp rate of this cricket varies with the surrounding temperature, increasing at higher degrees and decreasing at lower ones. This fact has inspired formulas for calculating the temperature from the number of chirps per minute. The Snowy Tree Cricket, also called the Thermometer Cricket (Oecanthus fultoni) indicates the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit if one counts the number of chirps in 13 seconds and adds 40.
      Your tenant is, however, more likely another type of cricket. Field Crickets (Gryllus sp.) are much larger than tree crickets, with body lengths up to 1 1/4 inches. Field Crickets live on the ground in fissures and under litter, vegetation and stones. They sometimes sing in the morning or late afternoon, but more usually at night when they come out to feed on all sorts of organic matter. They occasionally enter homes and become a nuisance by their unwelcome presence and incessant chirping.
      A third possibility is that you are hosting a European House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) which are about 3/4 inch long as straw-brown in color. The species was apparently introduced into the eastern United States from Europe, although its original home may have been Africa. It has since become widespread in Southern California, where it is usually associated with human habitations. Lacking a dormancy period and hence being easy to raise, it is sold as fish bait and animal food in pet stores. Its chirp is frail and attracts less attention than that of its Field Cricket relatives. Bathrooms and kitchens are the most likely places to find crickets in the home.
      I once had one who lived in the drain of my bathroom sink and I found its chirping to be quite soothing. I think you should lighten up and surrender to the sounds of nature.