which Jerusalem Cricket ? - Stenopelmatus

Yuck

I used to stay with a friend and his wife out in Lakeside Cali (1996)about 30 miles East of San Diego. One day I saw this really freaky bug out in the back yard on the patio. These pics here make these guys look almost friendly. The one I saw was so ugly it was ghastly. I had never saw one before and I sure didn't like it's looks.

… Mark C., 6 September, 2009 - 3:41am

New species?

There are somewhere between 7 and 40 new species of Stenopelmatus that are awaiting description, and most of them are in your area! There is a gentleman working at describing them (Weissmann, I believe, is his name), so perhaps he would be interested in seeing this image? If you still have the specimen, it might very well be of interest.

… Eric R. Eaton, 7 April, 2008 - 3:34pm

Mahogany Jerusalem Cricket

Eric is quite right that this species is undescribed, though it has been referred to by David Weissman (Department of Entomology, California Academy of Sciences) et al. as Stenopelmatus sp. nov. "mahogany", or informally as the "mahogany jerusalem cricket". I have seen images of this species submitted to the guide before (e.g. here) and you can find out a little more about it at the website of the San Diego Field Station.

… Sam W. Heads, 7 April, 2008 - 4:32pm

Cool!

Thanks so much, Sam, for the added information!

… Eric R. Eaton, 22 April, 2008 - 6:25pm

Sorry

but I never collect, I do see them fairly often tho. This one was exceptionaly large and in a good position for a photo.

… Andrew Gale, 7 April, 2008 - 4:17pm

hmmm....

that looks like a Dark jerusalem cricket

… Christina , 7 April, 2008 - 1:50pm