Jerusalem cricket

Jerusalem crickets (or potato bugs) are a group of large, flightless insects in the genera Ammopelmatus and Stenopelmatus, together comprising the tribe Stenopelmatini. The former genus is native to the Western United States and parts of Mexico, while the latter genus is from Central America. Despite their common names, these insects are neither true crickets (which belong to the family Gryllidae), nor are they native to Jerusalem. These nocturnal insects use their strong mandibles to feed primarily on dead organic matter, but can also eat other insects. Their highly adapted feet are used for burrowing beneath moist soil to feed on decaying root plants and tubers. Despite this, they are not considered serious agriculture pests. One species, Stenopelmatus talpa, is known to be cannibalistic in the immature stages, but in other species the only known cannibalism is females eating the males after mating. While Jerusalem crickets are not venomous, they can emit a foul smell and are capable of inflicting a painful bite. Jerusalem crickets are an important food source for many species of birds, bats, mammals, and other insects during the night.