TAXONOMY:
(View Orders)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
   Class:Insecta
    Order: Orthoptera
     Family: Stenopelmatidae
      Genus: Stenopelmatus
       Species: fuscus

OTHER NAME(S):
Earth Baby; Potato Bug; Niño de la Teirra / Child of the Earth

CHARACTERISTICS: Dark Jerusalem Crickets are a wingless species common to California. They are rather large for a cricket and have a distinctly large head. The most identifying feature of this insect is its striped abdomen featuring black and light lines. This critter can be found hiding under logs and rocks. The Jerusalem Cricket has earned itself several playful nicknames including "Potato Bug", "Earth Baby" and "Niño de la Tierra" (meaning "Child of the Earth").

ADULT SIZE (Length, not including legs):
30mm to 50mm (1.18in to 1.97in) (Compare Size)

IDENTIFYING COLORS: black; white; yellow; brown

Arizona; California; Nevada; Utah

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Courtesy of Drew from California


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