Types of Spider Crickets

Reptiles eat many types of insects.

Camel crickets -- also known as spider crickets or cave crickets -- have no wings, a humped back and long legs that give them a spider-like appearance. More than 130 species of camel crickets inhabit the U.S. Unlike field crickets, camel crickets don't chirp. You will most likely find camel crickets in your fire woodpile and under stones. They also enjoy moist, humid areas in and around your home, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and crawl spaces.

Sand-Treader Camel Cricket

Found in sandy ecosystems of North America, the sand-treader camel crickets are omnivorous. They feed on dead and living plant material, insects and feces. The large hind legs on this species have horny growths, called sand baskets, that aid in removing sand from their burrows.

Cave Crickets

Cave crickets grow up to 2 inches in length -- 4 inches if you include the legs -- and are commonly found in caves, as their name suggests. Because they're active at night, their sight is limited. To compensate for this, the cave cricket uses its long antennae to sense with and feel. When cave crickets sense danger, they jump toward it in an effort to scare away predators.

Spider Crickets

The name spider crickets -- sometimes shortened to sprickets -- refers to crickets of the subfamily Phalangopsinae. Spider crickets are common in tropical and subtropical regions. They frequent dark, rocky gullies, wells, drift-shafts and the underside of wooden bridges. Their complex life style resembles that of ants or spiders. Some entomologists divide the classification of spider crickets into three families: Phalangopsidae, Neoaclidae and Paragryllidae.

As Pets or Food

Aside from defecating on your belongings, spider crickets pose no real danger. Snake owners might raise or buy spider crickets for snake food. People who enjoy fishing might use spider crickets for fishing bait. Sometimes kids raise spider crickets and make money by selling them to pet stores. Oddly enough, camel spiders find camel cricket tasty and eat several at one feeding. Other spiders, such as the tarantula, also enjoy eating camel crickets. Many reptiles feed on spider crickets as a regular part of their diet.

References

• Department of Entomology North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Camel Crickets
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve: Giant Sand-Treader Camel Cricket
• "Zoological Journal"; The First Fossil Spider Cricket; Sam W. Heads; 2010
• Exotic Pets: Camel Spider Eating a Cricket