The curvy hump on the back of the large, speckled Spotted Camel Cricket makes it easy recognize this sprightly insect.
The high arching back on this cricket is unlike other families of crickets. This hefty species is found in forests, under rocks, and even in basements. The Spotted Camel Cricket blends in well with its natural surroundings thanks to the mottled coloration on its body and legs. Camel Crickets, in general, have the traditionally large hind legs associated with all crickets. They are used for leaping long, high distances.
The Spotted Camel Cricket is also common in southeastern Canada as well as the northeastern United States all the way down to Texas. They feed at night on plants and even eat other insects. They are most active from spring through summer, but occasionally, these insects find their way inside warm homes or buildings during the fall and winter. They will typically reside in the dark parts of a home, like a basement or cellar. Like other crickets, they are not dangerous to people; just large, fast, and springy, which generally freaks people out.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Orthoptera
Family:Rhaphidorphoridae
Genus:Ceuthophilus
Species:maculatus
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Ceuthophilus maculatus
Other Name(s): Camel Cricket
Category:
Grasshopper or Cricket
Size (Adult; Length): 10mm to 27mm (0.39in to 1.05in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Colors: brown; black; yellow; red; tan
