How to Identify a House Cricket Spider

Though their common name might suggest otherwise, the "cricket spiders" found in houses are not spiders at all. These crickets, more correctly called camel crickets or cave crickets, often are confused for spiders and derive their name from their long, spider-like legs. Cricket spiders prefer dark, damp spaces and tend to take up residence in basements and cellars.

Things You'll Need

• Field guide to insects
• Magnifying glass
• Camera (optional)
• Identification key (optional)
• Notebook
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Consult a field guide to local insects to confirm that camel crickets are found in your area.

2. Observe the physical characteristics of the insect. Camel crickets are about an inch long and typically are shades of brown.

3. Use a magnifying glass to observe the details of the insect. Camel crickets have an arched or "humped" back, long antennae (which might stick straight up or forward, or be pulled back along the body) and six long legs. The number of legs is a good indicator of whether the animal is an insect (six legs) or a spider (eight legs).

4. Write down the observations you have made about the insect. Include details about size, shape, color, number of legs and whether the insect has wings.

5. Make a brief sketch of the insect, making sure to include the placement and number of legs, as well as the body shape.

6. Compare your notes and drawings with an insect field guide, or consult an identification key to determine if the insect is a cricket spider.

Tips & Warnings

• Camel crickets, unlike most crickets, lack wings and therefore do not "chirp." If you hear chirping in your home, it is another species of cricket.

• Taking a high-quality, close-up photo of the insect to compare with photos in field guides might help with identification.

• Camel crickets can jump several feet, and they often startle observers.

References

• Camel Cricket
• Camel Crickets
• Family Rhaphidophoridae - Camel Crickets