Valley Jerusalem Cricket vs Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Valley Jerusalem Cricket | Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stenopelmatus pictus | Ellipes minuta |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Stenopelmatidae | Tridactylidae |
| Size | 30-50 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Valley Jerusalem Cricket
A boldly banded Jerusalem cricket found in the arid valleys of California. Its large jaws can deliver a painful but harmless bite.
Did You Know?
Despite its common name, it is neither from Jerusalem nor a true cricket.
Ellipes Pygmy Mole Cricket
One of the smallest orthopterans in the world, barely visible to the naked eye. It lives in moist sand and mud along tropical waterways.
Did You Know?
At just 3 mm long, it is smaller than many ants and is easily overlooked even by entomologists specifically searching for it.