Basement-pest
Guides
Ceuthophilus guttulosus thomasi
Utah camel cricket
Ceuthophilus guttulosus thomasi is a subspecies of camel cricket in the family Rhaphidophoridae. It is a native North American camel cricket belonging to the genus Ceuthophilus, which includes approximately 90 species. The subspecies was described by Hubbell in 1936. Like other camel crickets, it is wingless, nocturnal, and adapted to dark, damp environments. It is found in the eastern United States, with records from Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, and Ohio.
Ceuthophilus maculatus
spotted camel cricket
Ceuthophilus maculatus, commonly known as the spotted camel cricket, is a wingless camel cricket in the family Rhaphidophoridae. It is distinguished by its humpbacked profile, spotted coloration, and notably long antennae. The species is native to North America and is frequently encountered in dark, humid microhabitats. Unlike many Orthoptera, males do not produce sound.
Diestrammena
Asian camel cricket, cave cricket, greenhouse camel cricket
Diestrammena is a genus of camel crickets (family Rhaphidophoridae) native to Asia, including Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Several species have become invasive in North America, particularly in residential basements, garages, and caves. These wingless crickets are characterized by their humpbacked appearance, extraordinarily long antennae, and powerful jumping legs. Research has shown that Asian camel crickets now dominate indoor environments in many parts of the eastern United States, having largely displaced native camel cricket species.
camel-cricketcave-cricketinvasive-speciesbasement-pestAsiaNorth-Americacave-ecosystemscavengerwinglessautotomygut-microbiomekeystone-speciesDiestrammena-japanicaDiestrammena-asynamoraTachycines-asynamorusRhaphidophoridaeOrthopteranocturnalthigmotaxisurban-ecologycave-adaptationmorphological-plasticitycompetitive-displacementgreenhouse-pestfish-baitDiestrammena japanica
Japanese camel cricket
Diestrammena japanica is a species of camel cricket native to Japan. It has been identified as an invasive species in the eastern United States, where it has been observed in homes, particularly in the Northeast. In its native range in China, it serves as a keystone scavenger species in karst cave ecosystems, inhabiting all light zones from cave entrances to deep dark regions. Research indicates its morphology varies with light intensity, with individuals in light regions being significantly larger than those in dark cave zones.
Rhaphidophoridae
cave crickets, camel crickets, spider crickets, cave wētā, sand treaders, sprickets
Rhaphidophoridae is a globally distributed family of wingless orthopterans comprising over 500 described species. Commonly called cave crickets, camel crickets, or spider crickets, these insects are characterized by elongated antennae, enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping, and a humpbacked body profile. They occupy diverse habitats including caves, forests, animal burrows, and human structures. All species are flightless and nocturnal, relying heavily on tactile and chemical sensory structures for navigation in dark environments. The family includes notable subfamilies such as Ceuthophilinae in North America, Macropathinae in the Southern Hemisphere, and Aemodogryllinae in Asia.