You've probably seen a very strange animal while surfing the Internet or watching a foreign movie. An animal with a large, shiny head, that looks a bit like a spider, but at the same time like a cockroach. It makes you cringe a little when you see it. That's what the Jerusalem Cricket is. Even though you might think it has something to do with Jerusalem when you hear its name, it actually has nothing to do with it. So today, let's talk about this strange-looking animal that scares many people.
Who is this Jerusalem Cricket?
Simply put, this is an insect. Despite the word "Cricket" in their name, they are not in the same family as the true crickets we know. But they are like relatives. They both belong to the same insect order, `(Orthoptera)`. So there are some similarities.
This animal has many other names. Some call it the "Potato bug" because it eats things like potatoes. But that name is a bit confusing, because the same name is also used for other insects that damage potato crops. It is also called the "Skull cricket" because of its large, skull-like head.
Their scientific name is `(Stenopelmatus fuscus)`. More than 100 species of this species have been found. But don't worry, these animals are not found in Sri Lanka . They are mostly found in countries like the western United States and Mexico.
So why did the name "Jerusalem" come about? It's a very interesting story. At that time, people were very scared when they saw this strange animal. When they were so scared, instead of saying a bad word, people at that time shouted "Jerusalem!" That's how this animal got its name.
What does this animal look like and behave like?
The easiest way to identify this animal is by its strange appearance. Let's take a look at its main characteristics.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | It has six legs. The body looks a little hunched over. The yellow and black stripes on its back are clearly visible. |
| Head | It has a round head that is much larger than its body size. Its eyes are very small. |
| Jaws | It has two very strong jaws (mandibles). These are used to cut food. But if scared, it can also bite humans. |
| Wings and movement | They don't have wings, so they can't fly. They walk very slowly. When they walk, they drag their belly along the ground. |
| Sound | They don't chirp like the birds we know. But when they get scared, they will make a hissing sound by rubbing their hind legs together, as if they were sucking sandpaper. |
They are most active at night. That is, they are nocturnal animals. They are rarely seen during the day. They prefer to live under rocks, under decaying logs, and in sandy environments. They can sometimes be found in places like garages in houses.
Is this animal dangerous? Does it chew?
This is the biggest problem that many people have. Because of its scary appearance, many people think that this is a very dangerous and poisonous animal.
But the truth is, the Jerusalem Cricket is not a poisonous animal. They do not have poison, and they do not have a sting.
But, they can bite . Their jaws are very strong. They are strong enough to cut through plastic and fabric. So if you try to touch them or scare them, they can bite to protect themselves. That bite is very painful . So the best thing to do is not to touch or provoke this animal if you see it. If you pick it up, the first thing it does is pretend to be dead. Then it will bite if you continue to bother it.
Life cycle and diet
Their lives are also very amazing.
- Reproduction: Both males and females make a drumming sound by rapidly beating their abdomens on the ground. This vibration travels through the ground and invites other animals to mate. This sound can be heard by a human up to 60 feet away.
- Egg laying: After mating, the female lays eggs, sometimes eating the male himself! After a few weeks, the eggs hatch into nymphs.
- Growth: It takes these babies about two to five years to become adults. During that time, they molt more than ten times. However, once they become adults, they only live for a short period of time, about two to six months.
What do they eat?
Jerusalem Crickets are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
- Plant roots
- Tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Decaying plant parts
- Other small insects
They eat roots and tubers from underground during the day, and come out at night to eat other insects and decaying matter.
What would you do if you saw this animal?
If you ever visit a foreign country and see one of these creatures in your garden or inside your home, don't panic. Remember, these are not a group of animals like ants or termites. They live alone. So just because you see one doesn't mean they've spread throughout your home.
Insect experts say they perform a beneficial service for the environment. They clean the soil by eating decaying matter. They are also an important food source for animals like birds and reptiles that eat them.
So if you see an animal like this, the best thing to do is:
1. Don't panic: Remember, this animal is not coming to attack you.
2. Keep your distance: Don't touch or reach out. Especially don't point your fingers at their head.
3. Remove safely: If it has entered the house, carefully catch the animal using a leaf and a cup and take it outside.
4. No pesticides needed: Since they are not considered pests, there is no need to kill or poison them.
I hope you learned something new about this strange, yet fascinating animal from this article. It's also a great example of how diverse the world is.
Take-Home Message
- The Jerusalem Cricket is an insect that is not found in Sri Lanka, but is found in countries like Western America and Mexico.
- Even though the name says "Jerusalem", it has nothing to do with Jerusalem. It got its name because people screamed in fear when they saw it.
- This animal is not venomous , and it does not have fangs to pierce. But if it is scared, it can bite in defense. That bite is very painful .
- These are not pests that live in herds. They are important animals in the ecosystem, helping the environment by eating decaying matter.
- If you ever see an animal like this, the best thing to do is not to panic, not to touch it, and to remove it safely.
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