Alternate name: Potato Bug

Family: Gryllacrididae, Camel Crickets and Kin view all from this family

Description 1 1/8-2" (30-50 mm). Humpbacked. Very long antennae. Shiny amber-brown with darker brown crossbands on abdomen. Wingless. Head large with wide space between small compound eyes and jaws. Legs short; hind tibiae have 2 rows of spines with inside row shorter and flattened on inner surfaces.

Food Other insects, plant roots, decaying vegetation, and potato tubers.

Sound A scratchy noise.

Life Cycle Female prepares depression in soil for masses of oval white eggs. Nymphs and adults are extremely slow-moving. Adults are particularly slow during spring mating season. Female often devours mate. 1 generation a year.

Habitat Hillsides and valley slopes, under rocks.

Range Nebraska to New Mexico and Mexico, north along the Pacific Coast to Washington, east to Montana.

Discussion Active both day and night, these crickets often leave distinctive smooth tracks on dusty roads by dragging their bulky abdomens. Other species of the genus are distinguished by the number and form of tibial spines.