C
Species Profile

Camel Cricket

Rhaphidophoridae

Humpback hoppers of the humid dark
Nickie Drysdale/Shutterstock.com

Camel Cricket Distribution

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Invasive Species
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Found in 42 countries

camel cricket

At a Glance

Family Overview This page covers the Camel Cricket family as a group. Stats below are general traits shared across the family.
Also Known As Spider crickets, Cave crickets, Cellar crickets, Sprickets, Cave weta
Diet Omnivore
Activity Nocturnal+
Lifespan 1.5 years
Weight 0.003 lbs
Status Not Evaluated
Did You Know?

They're Orthoptera, but unlike "true crickets" (Gryllidae) most have no functional wings and don't sing.

Scientific Classification

Family Overview "Camel Cricket" is not a single species but represents an entire family containing multiple species.

Camel crickets (family Rhaphidophoridae) are wingless or short-winged orthopteran insects characterized by a strongly arched “humpbacked” body, very long antennae and legs, and jumping locomotion. Many are nocturnal scavengers/omnivores and often occur in caves, under stones/wood, and damp human structures such as basements and crawlspaces.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Orthoptera
Family
Rhaphidophoridae

Distinguishing Features

  • Hump-backed (arched) thorax/abdomen profile
  • Very long antennae and long hind legs; strong jumping
  • Usually wingless (unlike many true field crickets)
  • Often pale to brown mottled coloration adapted to low-light habitats
  • Nocturnal; commonly encountered in damp basements/caves

Physical Measurements

Males and females differ in size

Length
♀ 2 in (0 in – 1 in)
Weight
♂ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 0 lbs)
♀ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 0 lbs)
Tail Length
♀ 0 in (0 in – 1 in)
Top Speed
5 mph
Short fast bursts — ~5–10 km/h

Appearance

Primary Colors
Tan Brown Gray Black Cream White
Secondary Colors
Spotted Striped Black Cream Gray
Skin Type Camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) have a chitinous exoskeleton, matte to slightly glossy. They may look soft from texture and pale color, have long legs with spines, and are mostly wingless.
Distinctive Features
  • Family-level body plan: strongly arched, 'humpbacked' profile (pronotum/mesothorax elevated), giving the classic camel/cave-cricket silhouette.
  • Antennae extremely long and threadlike, often longer than the body (frequently much longer), aiding navigation in dark, cluttered habitats.
  • Legs very long with enlarged hind femora for powerful jumping; movement is often a mix of jumping and fast scrambling.
  • Wings absent in most species; some have only tiny, nonfunctional wing remnants-this helps distinguish them from many true crickets (Gryllidae), which typically have developed wings and stridulate.
  • Head and body often laterally compressed with a somewhat 'spidery' look due to long legs and antennae.
  • Eyes are present but can be reduced in some cave-adapted lineages; pigmentation can also be reduced in deeper cave specialists, producing very pale individuals.
  • Camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) adults are usually 1.3–2.5 cm long, though some related cave weta reach about 4–5 cm. Hind legs and antennae are often much longer, so total span is larger.
  • Life span across the family is commonly about 6 months to over 3 years from egg to adult, varying with species, temperature, and food; cave species often develop slower than surface orthopterans.
  • Behavior/ecology (common patterns): primarily nocturnal; strongly associated with humid microhabitats (caves, rock crevices, under logs/stones, leaf litter, and damp human structures like basements/crawlspaces).
  • Camel crickets are scavengers that eat decaying plants, fungi, algae, dead animals, and sometimes small invertebrates or eggs; they may eat other camel crickets and move nutrients from the surface into cave food webs.
  • Behavior/ecology (variation to note): habitat breadth is wide across Rhaphidophoridae-some species are largely surface-dwelling in forests/grasslands, others specialize in cave entrances or deep caves; degrees of cave adaptation (pigment/eye reduction) vary widely.
  • Medical danger: generally harmless to people; they do not have venom and are not known for medically significant bites, though they can startle and may occasionally nip if handled.
  • Common confusion to avoid: not Jerusalem crickets (Stenopelmatidae) and not mole crickets (Gryllotalpidae); camel/cave crickets are typically humpbacked, long-legged, and wingless, with strong humidity association.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is usually present but modest across the family. The clearest, most consistent difference is the female ovipositor (variable in length/curvature among genera). Size differences (female vs male) vary by species and are not reliable at the family level; both sexes share the wingless, humpbacked, long-legged form.

♂
  • Typically lack an ovipositor; terminal abdominal structures differ (subgenital plate/cerci and genitalia).
  • In some species males may be slightly smaller or more slender, but this is variable across the family and not universal.
♀
  • Ovipositor present (often sword- to needle-like; length and curvature vary widely among lineages).
  • Often appears more robust in the abdomen when gravid; degree of size/robustness relative to males varies among species.

Did You Know?

They're Orthoptera, but unlike "true crickets" (Gryllidae) most have no functional wings and don't sing.

Across the family, body size ranges from tiny species ~4-6 mm long to large species ~40-50 mm (not counting antennae/legs).

Antennae are often several times the body length (commonly 2-5×), acting like tactile "feelers" in darkness.

Many species thrive in caves, rock crevices, leaf litter, or human basements-places that stay humid and sheltered.

Their diet is typically omnivorous/scavenging: fungi, decaying plant matter, detritus, and sometimes small invertebrates or carrion.

Some lineages are highly cave-adapted (reduced eyes/pigment), while others live mostly outdoors and only wander indoors opportunistically.

They can jump impressively, but many also "freeze" and rely on camouflage and darkness rather than running constantly.

Unique Adaptations

  • Wing reduction/loss: Most are wingless or short-winged, a common adaptation for life in tight, cluttered, or subterranean spaces.
  • Strongly arched "humpbacked" body form: Helps distinguish them from Gryllidae and suits crevice/cave habitats.
  • Very long legs with enlarged hind femora: Power rapid jumping and maneuvering over rocks, leaf litter, and cave breakdown.
  • Extreme tactile sensing: Long antennae and sensitive body hairs help navigation and foraging in low light or total darkness.
  • Cave-associated traits in some species: Reduced pigmentation and smaller eyes can occur in obligate cave dwellers, reflecting long-term subterranean life.
  • Moisture dependence: Physiology and behavior favor humid refuges, reducing water loss and supporting activity in damp microclimates.

Interesting Behaviors

  • Nocturnal foraging: Many hide by day in crevices, under stones/wood, or cave cracks, then emerge at night to feed.
  • Humidity-seeking: They track moist microhabitats and readily retreat when air dries-one reason they're common in basements/crawlspaces.
  • Scavenging and omnivory: Family-wide, feeding is flexible; some species lean more detritivorous/fungivorous, others more predatory/scavenging.
  • Cave-surface commuting: In many cave systems, individuals forage near entrances or outside at night and return to sheltered zones by day; strict cave specialists vary by region.
  • Startle-and-jump defense: When disturbed they often spring unpredictably; many also use stillness and shadowy cover as a primary defense.
  • Aggregation: Some species occur in loose groups in favorable roost sites (stable humidity/temperature), though social structure varies widely.

Cultural Significance

Camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) are known as basement or cellar crickets for their sudden jumps and long legs. In caves they link outside plant debris to underground predators and decomposers. Guides note they are silent, wingless, and love humidity, unlike field crickets (Gryllidae).

Myths & Legends

Name origin (common lore): "Camel cricket" refers to the arched, humpbacked profile that resembles a camel's hump when viewed from the side.

Cave association in storytelling: In many caving communities, "cave/camel crickets" are treated as emblematic cave residents-animals whose presence signals sheltered, humid zones within caves (a piece of long-running spelunker tradition).

People sometimes treat camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) like other crickets in the old house saying that a cricket indoors means luck or a sign, even though camel crickets don't chirp like house crickets.

Basement folklore: Homeowner lore commonly treats sudden appearances of camel crickets as a sign of dampness or hidden moisture-an informal "warning" story that parallels their real preference for humid microhabitats.

Conservation Status

NE Not Evaluated (family-level hub). Rhaphidophoridae is a diverse, globally distributed family, and the IUCN Red List generally assesses conservation status at the species level; across the family, assessed species span a wide range (from Least Concern to threatened categories such as Endangered/Critically Endangered, with many data-deficient cave endemics). Generalized biology across the family (with substantial variation among lineages and habitats): adult body length roughly ~4-50 mm across the smallest to largest members (legs/antennae often far longer than body); typical lifespan commonly ~0.5-3+ years depending on species, climate, and whether development is slow in cave/temperate systems; ecology often nocturnal and moisture-dependent, with many species scavenging/omnivorous in leaf litter, under rocks/logs, or in caves and other subterranean voids, and some synanthropic species persisting in damp human structures (e.g., basements/crawlspaces). At-risk members are disproportionately single-site or narrow-range cave specialists (troglobionts/troglophiles) sensitive to microclimate change and disturbance; more widespread surface-associated taxa are often more resilient but still affected by land-use change and pesticides.

Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Population Unknown

Protected Under

  • No single, family-wide legal protection applies globally; conservation is primarily species- and site-specific.
  • Many populations occur within protected areas (e.g., national/state parks, nature reserves) that incidentally protect forest floor habitats and some cave/karst systems.
  • In several jurisdictions, particularly for cave-restricted endemics, protection may occur via site safeguards (cave/karst management rules) and/or listing of individual species under national or subnational threatened-species legislation.

Looking for a specific species?

Greenhouse camel cricket / Asian camel cricket

Diestrammena asynamora (often treated as Tachycines asynamorus in some classifications)

This is one of the most frequently encountered and commonly referenced "camel crickets" in human structures (basements, crawlspaces, greenhouses) and is widely associated with the common name in many regions.

  • Rhaphidophoridae vary by species and habitat: body length about 0.5–8 cm, antennae often longer than the body, hind legs very long for jumping, and cave forms can be small or very large.
  • Lifespan across the family is variable: many species complete development in roughly ~6-24 months, while some cave/subterranean species can take longer (often up to ~3+ years reported/estimated), reflecting cooler, resource-limited environments and slower growth.
  • Rhaphidophoridae (camel crickets) are active at night and like humidity. They hide in damp places (caves, leaf litter, basements) and emerge to eat. Some live only in caves and are pale with reduced eyes.
  • Diet across the family is typically omnivorous/scavenging (detritus, fungi, algae/biofilms, carrion), with frequent opportunistic predation on small invertebrates; the balance between scavenging vs. predation varies among genera, habitats, and food availability.
  • Camel crickets are often wingless or have tiny wings, with a humpbacked shape, very long antennae, and strong jumping legs. They don’t tolerate dry conditions well but can survive in cool, sheltered microclimates.

You might be looking for:

Greenhouse camel cricket

35%

Diestrammena asynamora

Introduced/commensal camel cricket commonly found in buildings (cellars, basements) in many regions.

Cave/camel crickets (North American)

35%

Ceuthophilus spp.

A large genus of camel crickets widespread in North America; many species occur in caves, leaf litter, and human structures.

Cave wētā

20%

Tokoriro spp. (incl. Pachyrhamma and relatives)

Rhaphidophorid camel crickets of New Zealand, often called cave weta; nocturnal with long legs and antennae.

Spider/cave crickets (European)

10%

Dolichopoda spp.

Mediterranean cave-dwelling camel crickets with long legs; sometimes called cave or spider crickets.

Life Cycle

Birth 60 nymphs
Lifespan 2 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
0.4–3 years
In Captivity
0.5–4 years

Reproduction

Mating System Polygynandry
Social Structure Aggregation Group
Breeding Pattern Transient
Fertilization Internal Fertilization
Birth Type Internal_fertilization

Camel/cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) are polygynandrous: both males and females mate multiple times. Pairings are brief with internal fertilization via a spermatophore. No lasting pair bond or parental care. Mating often happens in humid shelters or aggregations.

Behavior & Ecology

Social Congregation Group: 10
Activity Nocturnal, Crepuscular, Cathemeral
Diet Omnivore Fungi and damp decaying organic matter (varies by species and habitat).
Seasonal Hibernates

Temperament

Generally shy, cryptic, and disturbance-averse; rapid escape by jumping and running is typical.
Mostly non-territorial; interactions are usually brief (avoidance, antennal contact), but competition and occasional cannibalism/scavenging on conspecifics can occur when food is scarce or densities are high (varies among species and environments).
Moisture-seeking behavior is common; many species show strong preference for humid refuges and avoid desiccating conditions, influencing when and where they aggregate and forage.
Broadly omnivorous/scavenging tendencies are common (detritus, fungi, plant material, carrion, and small invertebrates), with substantial variation among lineages (including stronger cave specialization in some).

Communication

Acoustic signaling is generally limited compared with many other orthopterans (many are wingless/short-winged and do not perform typical cricket calling); if sounds occur, they are usually faint/irregular (e.g., incidental rubbing or distress-associated noises) and vary by lineage.
Tactile communication via antennation Long antennae used in close-range assessment, courtship, and spacing
Chemical cues likely important for mate finding and recognizing suitable refuges/aggregation sites; reliance on chemosensation is often high in dark habitats Degree varies among species
Substrate-borne vibrations/body movements (e.g., tapping/drumming) may be used at short range in some taxa, especially in enclosed refuges, though evidence and prominence vary across the family.
Spatial/behavioral cues: shared refuge choice and movement timing function as indirect coordination Aggregation without cooperative behavior

Habitat

Cave Forest Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Rainforest Woodland Shrubland Grassland Wetland Cliff/Rocky Outcrop Mountain Alpine Meadow Urban Suburban Agricultural/Farmland Plantation +10
Biomes:
Temperate Forest Temperate Rainforest Tropical Rainforest Tropical Dry Forest Mediterranean Boreal Forest (Taiga) Alpine Wetland Desert Hot Desert Cold +4
Terrain:
Mountainous Hilly Plateau Plains Valley Coastal Island Riverine Volcanic Karst Rocky Sandy Muddy +7
Elevation: Up to 11482 ft 11 in

Ecological Role

Opportunistic omnivorous scavengers/detritus processors that link surface and subterranean food webs (especially in cave systems), while also serving as prey for a wide range of predators.

nutrient cycling via detritus and fungal consumption decomposition facilitation and organic matter fragmentation (detritus processing) energy transfer from surface habitats into caves through foraging and frass deposition (in many cave-associated species) prey base support for predators (e.g., spiders, salamanders, birds, bats, small mammals)

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Small insects soft-bodied arthropods Mites and other tiny invertebrates Insect eggs Dead insects, carrion and other animal remains
Other Foods:
Fungi Decaying plant material Algae and biofilms Fresh plant matter Fallen fruit Seeds and grain fragments

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

Rhaphidophoridae (camel crickets) are wild, not domesticated. They often enter basements, crawlspaces, garages, greenhouses, caves, and other damp shelters, so people usually meet them by chance as indoor pests or cave/soil animals seen by researchers and cave visitors. In some places they are used as feeder insects or bait.

Danger Level

Low
  • Mostly a nuisance: startling jumps, visible aggregations in damp structures, and droppings/organic debris around harborages
  • Rare, minor skin pinches/bites can occur if handled; typically not medically significant
  • Potential allergen/irritant exposure from insect fragments or droppings in heavily infested indoor areas
  • Not known as a significant venomous or disease-vector group; primary issues are sanitation perception and contamination of stored items in severe infestations

As a Pet

Not Suitable as Pet

Legality: Keeping camel crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) is usually legal, but collecting from caves, parks, or protected lands can be banned. Some cave or endemic species are protected, and moving live insects across borders may be restricted.

Care Level: Moderate

Purchase Cost: Up to $15
Lifetime Cost: $10 - $120

Economic Value

Uses:
Nuisance/pest (indoor invader) Ecosystem services (detritivory/nutrient cycling; prey for other animals) Research/education (cave ecology, behavior, biodiversity surveys) Pet trade adjunct (occasional feeder insect/bait)
Products:
  • No major direct products; limited local use as live bait or feeder insects
  • Indirect value via decomposition/cleanup of organic debris in natural systems
  • Scientific value in studies of cave adaptation, dispersal, and community ecology

Relationships

Predators 10

Cellar spider Pholcus phalangioides
Wolf spider
Wolf spider Lycosidae
Ground beetle
Ground beetle Carabidae
Centipedes
Centipedes Chilopoda
Frog
Frog Ranidae
Toad
Toad Bufonidae
Salamanders Plethodontidae
Bats Vespertilionidae
Lizard
Lizard Squamata
Small mammals
Small mammals Rodentia

Related Species 7

Cave weta
Cave weta Rhaphidophoridae Shared Family
Greenhouse/Asian camel crickets Diestrammena Shared Genus
North American camel crickets Ceuthophilus Shared Genus
European cave crickets Dolichopoda Shared Family
True crickets
True crickets Gryllidae Shared Family
Katydids
Katydids Tettigoniidae Shared Family
Mole crickets
Mole crickets Gryllotalpidae Shared Family

Ecological Equivalents 4

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Cave beetles Trechini (Carabidae) Occupy similar dark, humid cave and subterranean habitats; overlap in scavenging and small-invertebrate predation, and are key components of cave food webs.
Cave and house spiders Pholcidae Frequently share the same dim, humid microhabitats (caves, basements, crawlspaces). Both are nocturnal and strongly tied to stable humidity, though spiders are predators rather than omnivorous scavengers.
Woodlouse
Woodlouse Oniscidea Occupies a similar moisture-dependent, shelter-seeking decomposer/scavenger niche under stones, in wood, and in damp human structures; both help process decaying organic matter in humid microhabitats.
Springtails Collembola Common in the same damp leaf litter, cave floors, and basement substrates. They form part of the same detritus-based food web and can be prey for more omnivorous/predatory camel crickets.

Types of Camel Cricket

10

Explore 10 recognized types of camel cricket

Greenhouse camel cricket / Asian camel cricket Diestrammena asynamora
European cave cricket Dolichopoda geniculata
European cave cricket Dolichopoda laetitiae
A North American camel cricket Ceuthophilus gracilipes
A North American camel cricket Ceuthophilus silvestris
A North American camel cricket Ceuthophilus secretus
Cave weta
Cave weta Pachyrhamma fascifer
Cave weta
Cave weta Pachyrhamma acanthoceras
New Zealand cave weta Macropathus filifer
Cave cricket Troglophilus neglectus

Camel crickets are also called spider crickets, sand treaders, camelback crickets and cave crickets.

They take their name from their uniquely shaped bodies that many say remind them of a camel’s hump. These crickets that do not chirp love warm and moist environments like are found in greenhouses, but they may end up living in your home. They can grow up to 1.5-inches long and might startle you if they jump on you. They do not carry diseases, but they can be destructive to your clothing and belongings.

5 Incredible Camel Cricket Facts

  • Camelback crickets prefer to live in dark and damp places.
  • Depending on the species, these light brown crickets can have spots.
  • Adult camel crickets do not have wings, but some baby camel spiders can have wings, depending on the species.
  • Camel crickets live around the world, except for New Caledonia and Madagascar.
  • Camelback crickets have no sound-producing organs, so they cannot chirp.

Camel Crickets Species, Types, and Scientific Name

Sand treaders spend almost all of their time eating. Researchers believe that sand treaders eat about 90% of the time. That is a lot compared to other animals.
Camel crickets belong to the Ensifera suborder and to the orthopteran family Rhaphidophoridae. They each belong to either:

  • Aemodogryllinae- These insects live in India, Korea, China, Russia and Europe
  • Ceuthophilinae – These insects live in North America
  • Dolichopodainae – These insects live in Southern Europe and Western Asia
  • Gammarotettiginae – These insects live in North America
  • Macropathinae- These insects live in Australia, Chile, New Zealand and the Falkland Islands
  • Protroglophilinae – These insects are extinct
  • Rhaphidophorinae – These insects live in Australia, China, Japan, India and Malaysia
  • Troglophilinae – These insects live in the Mediterranean
  • Tropidischiinae – These insects live in Canada

Appearance: How to Identify Camel Crickets

Camel crickets are about the same color as a camel. Like the camel, they have a humpback appearance. They have long back legs, like a grasshopper. They have two antennas that are extra-long and close together. While there are some reports of cave crickets growing up to 12-inches long, most of these insects that live for about 18 months are nearly 2-inches long, not counting their hind legs. These legs can be almost as long as the camel cricket’s body.

Camel Cricket on some leaves.

Camel Cricket on some leaves.

©yamaoyaji/Shutterstock.com

Habitat: Where to Find Them

Camel crickets prefer warm and moist environments. While you can find them in caves, you can also find them in rotting leaves and under logs.

Diet: What Do They Eat?

Camel crickets are omnivores. They will eat fungus, plant matter, insects, and even fabric or cloth. They will eat just about anything. For their size, camel crickets eat a lot.

Prevention: How to Get Rid of Camel Crickets

Camel crickets will eat your clothes and belongings, so it is vital to get them out of your home as soon as possible if they get there. The first step is to determine where they are getting into your home. Fix any minor cracks that they may get through. Weatherstripping under doorways is often a great idea.

The next step is to control the environment in your home. If you have wet areas, figure out why they are wet. If they have invaded your basement, you may need to run the sump pump to remove excess water. Additionally, running a dehumidifier during rainy periods may help.

Clean your home thoroughly. Remove any cardboard boxes that are not necessary as cave crickets often use them for shelter. Remember that the size of camel crickets allows them to live under many small items, so remove the clutter.

You may want to put out sticky traps designed to catch all types of pests. It is best to use these traps because of the size of camel crickets. You may have better luck using them if you bait them with a piece of bread or some other food. Be sure to place the sticky traps where the basement walls and floors intersect as this is a favorite hiding spot.

Place bowls of soapy water where you have seen the crickets. They will try to drink the water and drown.

You may need to seek professional help if the above techniques do not work. Professionals often use poisons that you cannot buy. Therefore, you may want to try more natural methods before introducing poisons to your home as poisons can have unattended consequences.

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Sources

  1. Animal Sake / Accessed June 4, 2021
  2. Infinite Spider / Accessed June 4, 2021
  3. Pest World / Accessed June 4, 2021
A-Z Animals Staff

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A-Z Animals Staff

AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and -- of course -- pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact.
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Camel Cricket FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

No, camel crickets cannot hurt you. They will not bite you. They will jump on you if they are startled. Jumping is their natural defense mechanism. They do not have the proper mechanisms to bite you.

View Camel Cricket Photos