Cave-adaptation
Guides
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-baitOonopidae
Goblin spiders
Oonopidae, commonly known as goblin spiders, is a diverse family of minute spiders comprising approximately 2,000 described species across 115 genera worldwide, with total species diversity estimated at 2,000–2,500. These spiders are characterized by their tiny size (typically 1–3 mm), reduced eye number (usually six, though some species have four, two, or are completely eyeless), and frequently exhibit unusual morphological modifications in males. The family shows remarkable morphological diversity including hardened abdominal plates (scuta), modified mouthparts, sternal pouches, and elaborate pedipalp structures. Goblin spiders are predominantly ground-dwelling, inhabiting leaf litter, soil, and rock crevices, with some lineages adapted to canopy habitats, caves, or termite nests. The family has an extensive fossil record in amber deposits dating back over 100 million years, with Orchestina already widespread by the end of the Cretaceous.