Common Cave Cricket
Hadenoecus subterraneus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Ensifera
- Infraorder: Tettigoniidea
- Family: Rhaphidophoridae
- Subfamily: Dolichopodainae
- Genus: Hadenoecus
- Species: subterraneus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hadenoecus subterraneus: /hædəˈniːkəs ˌsʌbtəˈreɪniəs/
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Summary
Hadenoecus subterraneus, commonly known as the common cave cricket or Mammoth Cave cricket, is a troglophilic species found primarily in limestone caves of Kentucky and Tennessee. They have adaptations for life in high-humidity environments and play an important role in the cave ecosystem by providing nutrients for other organisms.
Physical Characteristics
Hadenoecus subterraneus has long antennae which they use to navigate their environment. They possess a brownish coloration that aids in camouflage within their cavernous habitats.
Identification Tips
Look for their long, slender bodies and long antennae. They are typically found in caves and prefer moist environments.
Habitat
Primarily found in caves, but they can also survive in surface environments, especially in humid conditions. They are common in limestone regions.
Distribution
Limestone region of central Kentucky and adjacent north-central Tennessee, with potential presence in southern Indiana.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on various organic matter available in their environment, including plant material, fungi, and detritus.
Life Cycle
Details on their life cycle are not extensively documented, but like many insects, they likely undergo simple metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult stages.
Ecosystem Role
Cave crickets contribute to the cave ecosystem by providing nutrients through their feces (guano) and carcasses, which support other cave-dwelling organisms.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collecting in caves
- Using bait traps near cave entrances
Preservation Methods
- Alcohol preservation for specimens
- Freezing to kill and stabilize specimens
Similar Taxa
- Camel crickets
- Other species in the family Rhaphidophoridae
Misconceptions
They are often mistaken for house crickets but are adapted to cave life and do not chirp like house crickets.
Tags
- Hadenoecus subterraneus
- Common Cave Cricket
- Mammoth Cave cricket
- Cave Insect