What in the world is this??

[Cyris69]

I just found this female monster hopping across my living room, I have never seen a cricket like this before let alone in Indiana.

I think its a camel cricket but why have I never seen one in my entire life? Do I need to do anything to get rid of them, I've only seen one.

Being a female would it make a viable feeder insect if she gives some offspring?

 

[rballen]

I live in Indiana as well and saw one of these for the first time about 3 or 4 months ago. When I looked into it I found that they're native to the Northeast and down to around Arkansas.

 

[Camden]

Yes, it is a Rhaphidophoridae sp. Cave cricket or camel cricket, or "Spicket"

And yes, they would make decent feeders.

 

[Cyris69]

Awesome are there any care guides or breeding guides for them especially since they live up to two years ?

Also, would they be safe to feed to my frogs.

 

[Tenodera]

As far as I know there aren't, but I've bred Ceuthophilus sp. many times. Keep them somewhat moist and with bark or branches, and they eat dog food, fish food, fruits and veggies, and dead insects. Females oviposit in the soil, and at room temperature the eggs take 2-3 months to hatch.They can be cannibalistic (especially the young nymphs) if crowded or underfed, and they have a very broad definition of "crowded". I love 'em as pets/observation animals, but in my opinion they are not low-maintenance feeders.

 

[Camden]

Well, I read that they live in animal burrows. So what I did with mine is, I mixed coco fiber and play sand about 50/50 and made burrows myself. They didn't breed, but I only had two. I'd keep it a little warmer than room temperature, maybe just use a 40 watt lightbulb, just experiment a little bit. If it doesn't work, you'll find more.

 

[Bugs In Cyberspace]

Well, I just have to ask. How big is that "monster"? I really like the markings/coloration!

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

I've bred camel crickets before. The setup was a tall aquarium with lots of fake branches/vines/bark for hides. Substrate was sand. They got fed various fruits and veggies and the females laid eggs in the sand(kept slightly damp). Not sure how many months it was but the eggs did hatch and the nymphs did fairly well. I noticed that on overcast,cool, damp days that the crickets would begin molting like mad.

 

[Yoxigan]

Wow. Caught one of these under an old pot. How big is it
?