When maximum humans recollect crickets, they believe chirping insects hopping round grassy fields. However, there’s another form of cricket that prefers darkness and dampness the cave cricket. Also referred to as camel cricket or spider cricket, this captivating creature thrives in caves, basements, and other cool, moist environments.
What Is a Cave Cricket?
A cave cricket belongs to the family Rhaphidophoridae. Unlike their chirping cousins, those crickets are wingless and silent. Their long, spider-like legs, arched backs, and antennae deliver them a completely unique, nearly alien look. Because in their humped shape, they’re frequently nicknamed camel crickets
Behavior and Habitat
Cave crickets pick darkness and high humidity, and is the reason their presence in damp indoor areas. They are nocturnal, which means they are generally out at night to look for food.
When startled, they frequently bounce excessively and a long way a defense mechanism which could surprise everybody who encounters them.
These insects are scavengers, feeding on:
Fungi and plant cloth
Are Cave Crickets Harmful?
Cave crickets do no longer chew or sting, and they may not be dangerous to human beings. However, they could become a nuisance if they invade homes in massive numbers. Their droppings might also stain walls or floors, and they might bite on material, wooden, or stored devices when meals are scarce.
To save you from cave crickets coming into your property:
Seal cracks and openings around doorways and windows
Interesting Facts About Cave Crickets
Cave crickets can bounce up to 3 feet even as frightened.
- They rely heavily on their antennae to navigate in complete darkness.
- Their population frequently spikes at some stage in humid summers or rainy seasons
- Some species can live completely in internal cave systems, in no way seeing daylight.
Final Thoughts
The cave cricket may additionally seem intimidating; however, it plays a natural function in recycling natural material. While they may be a bit unsettling when determined indoors, they are harmless and may be managed through easy moisture management and domestic renovation.