Jerusalem Crickets
Jerusalem cricket adults are typically up to about 2 inches long, wingless and very robust with massive heads and thorax. Their color is yellowish brown to brown, with wide blackish bands on the abdomen across anterior margins. Antennal bases/insertions are widely spread, but are at least the length of the first antennal segment. Nymphs are similar to adults but smaller.
Jerusalem Cricket Biology
Because of their nocturnal and subterranean habits, little is known about their biology. To attract a mate, males and females drum the floor of their burrow or the ground with their abdomen. Females make nest burrows where they deposit their eggs. Nymphs may molt up to 10 times. The typical life cycle (egg to egg) extends over 2 years.
Jerusalem Cricket Habits
Jerusalem crickets are nocturnal and spend the day in burrows or under various objects that are lying on the ground such as rocks, stones, logs, etc. They have high moisture requirements, so they are most active in the spring after the rains of winter have loosened up the soil and may sometimes be seen crawling around after sundown. During the hot, dry summers they burrow deeply and only occasionally come out at night.
These crickets are scavengers on organic debris, but also feed on potatoes and other root crops, and live and dead insects. Unlike other crickets, females will often kill and eat the male after mating.
