Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket vs Pygmy Mole Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket Pygmy Mole Cricket
Scientific Name Hadenoecus cumberlandicus Tridactylus variegatus
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Tridactylidae
Size 15-25 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Caves Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Root Feeders
Regions United States Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket

A cave cricket restricted to caves in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky. It has smaller eyes than surface-dwelling relatives.

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Did You Know?

It represents an independent colonization of caves from the related H. subterraneus.

Pygmy Mole Cricket

A tiny mole cricket that lives along sandy stream banks and lake margins. It has miniature digging forelegs and can jump remarkable distances for its size.

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Did You Know?

Despite being only a few millimeters long, it can launch itself over 30 centimeters into the air using spring-loaded hind legs.