Cumberland Cave Cricket

Hadenoecus cumberlandicus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Infraorder: Tettigoniidea
Family: Rhaphidophoridae
Subfamily: Dolichopodainae
Genus: Hadenoecus
Species: cumberlandicus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hadenoecus cumberlandicus: /ˌhædɛˈnoʊɪkəs ˌkʌmbərˈlændɪkəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Summary

Hadenoecus cumberlandicus, also known as the Cumberland cave cricket, is a species of camel cricket found in North America that plays a crucial role in cave ecosystems.

Physical Characteristics

Very long legs, dark body broken into scale sections, and longer antennae than average camel crickets.

Identification Tips

Look for the very long legs and dark body with broken scale sections, as well as the long antennae.

Habitat

Aggregates into groups or clusters within cave wall recesses; found in caves.

Distribution

Found along and near the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau in eastern Kentucky, and perhaps in adjacent northeastern Tennessee.

Reproduction

Some populations are parthenogenic.

Predators

Cave spiders, notably the cave orb weaver spider Meta ovalis.

Ecosystem Role

Considered a keystone species, vital to cave community ecosystems.