Looking for a type of cricket/grasshopper...

alex21

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Jun 26, 2004
Messages
65
Hi,

I am looking for a specific type of cricket or grasshopper. I am not sure which one it is exactly because I have never seen it, only heard of its description. In mexico, it is referred as the "grillo nino" which is roughly translated to the cricket kid. it is described as a cricket that resembles a child. My mother tells me that she used to see these insects alot when she was a kid. she explains that when you turn it on its back, the face of the cricket resembles that of a child with it'sarms and legs too...i'm very intrigued by this insect. It may not even be a cricket or grasshopper or whatever.

if anybody knows of an insect that fits this discription, please letmeknow. she also mentioned to me, although i am not sure how factual this may be, that this cricket would either sting or bite, and did cause infections of some sort, so my guess would be that it would posses some type of venom.

I am open to any suggestions of what this insect might be. email me at either erik_ut_01@hotmail.com or erik_ut_2001@yahoo.com with your ideas.

Thanks alot!
 

Wade

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
2,927
Undoubtably, this is the Jerusalem Cricket, Stenopelmatus fuscus, AKA "potato bug", or "child of the earth". They are bizzare looking insects, quite large (to 3") light tan in color with a wide face. The small clusters of compound eyes give the face a wierd human-like appearance (at least to some people). It's fairly common in the SW US and Mexico.

There's no venom, but they do have large, powerful jaws that can give a painful bite. I can see how infection could be easily possible.

Wade
 

Navaros

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 23, 2003
Messages
1,614
Yeah, definately a Jerusalem Cricket. If you find someone selling them let me know. :)
 

GQ.

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 12, 2002
Messages
767
Check out this link. It is a tongue-in-cheek site about the evils of Jerusalem Crickets. Check out the care sheet on them. Funny stuff.

www.potatobugs.com
 

Wade

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
2,927
That's the funniest thing since "Bonsai Kittens"

Wade
 

Navaros

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 23, 2003
Messages
1,614
Yeah, it was pretty funny. Bonsai kitten was great though.
 
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