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Coast Sand-treader Cricket (Rhachocnemis validus)
Photo#132517
Copyright © 2007
Wendy 10
cricket at beach -
Rhachocnemis validus
-
Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California, USA
July 29, 2007
Size: 1.5" not incl antennae
These were hanging out in sand dunes. No idea what they were eating there.
Contributed by
Wendy 10
on 30 July, 2007 - 10:37pm
Last updated 12 February, 2012 - 2:27am
Moved
Moved from
Camel Crickets
.
…
David J. Ferguson
, 12 February, 2012 - 2:27am
Jerusalem Cricket?
Looks like it might be something in the
Family Stenopelmatidae
. Entomologists are still working on cataloging all the species in the California sand dunes, so it may not be possible to ID beyond family.
…
Chuck Entz
, 31 July, 2007 - 7:52am
No, camel cricket.
This is a dune specialist, might even be endemic and possibly endangered, so please release it. Dune camel crickets are called "sand treaders," and they have those enlarged and enlongated spines on the legs to help them burrow. Neat find! They are detritivores, scavenging any windblown organic matter they can find.
…
Eric R. Eaton
, 31 July, 2007 - 3:41pm
Not even close to endangered.
They're also not restricted to dunes, you can find them on nearly any beach from salinas to santa barbara.
It's the desert genera/species in isolated small dunes that have the endemism and peril.
any endemic treaders on our coast unknown to us are likely long-gone, sadly, as socal doesnt take good care of its beach habitats.
…
Marcus bullock
, 3 August, 2021 - 7:01pm
dune camel cricket
Thanks for the info. Field Guide to Grasshoppers,Katydids, and Crickets of the US says these guys are noctural. (Guess the ones I saw had too much coffee the night before.) Only 3, all in the genus Ceuthophilus, are listed in the book and none of those are in CA. But there are supposed to be 150 species. BTW, don't worry, the cricket was released immediately after I took its photo.
…
Wendy 10
, 31 July, 2007 - 4:10pm
Re: Eating. What a set up!
They dine on the sand which is there. LOL at my own dumb humor.
…
Ron Hemberger
, 31 July, 2007 - 1:21am