Indonesian Giant Cricket

Stenopelmatidae, commonly known as Jerusalem crickets or sand crickets, is a family within the order Orthoptera, notable for their large, robust bodies and distinctive, human-like head appearance. These crickets are primarily found in the western parts of North America and in parts of Central and South America, thriving in a variety of habitats, including arid deserts and moist forest floors. Stenopelmatids are flightless and primarily nocturnal, spending most of the day underground and emerging at night to feed and mate. Their diet consists mainly of organic matter, plant roots, and small invertebrates, making them important decomposers in their ecosystems. Jerusalem crickets are best known for their loud, drumming calls, which are produced by beating their abdomen against the ground, a form of communication used during mating rituals. Despite their somewhat fearsome appearance, they are harmless to humans but can deliver a painful bite if provoked. Their unique behavioral and morphological traits make Stenopelmatidae a subject of interest both ecologically and scientifically.