Jerusalem Cricket

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Despite their common name, Jerusalem crickets are not true crickets, as they belong to the family Stenopelmatidae, while true crickets belong to the family Gryllidae. They can be found largely in the Western U.S. and in Mexico. These nocturnal insects burrow underground and use their strong mandibles to feed primarily on dead organic matter but can also eat other insects. Various superstitions and folklore are associated with this insect due to their alien humanoid appearance. Several Navajo names refer to the insect’s head. “Red skull, Red skull bug. The Spanish refer to this insect as Earth Child, and Child’s Face.