Valley Jerusalem Cricket vs Japanese Pine Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Valley Jerusalem Cricket Japanese Pine Cricket
Scientific Name Stenopelmatus pictus Xenogryllus marmoratus
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Stenopelmatidae Gryllidae
Size 30-50 mm 20-25 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Meadows
Diet Root Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America East Asia, Japan
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.

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Did You Know?

Despite its common name, it is neither from Jerusalem nor a true cricket.

Japanese Pine Cricket

Known as 'matsumushi' in Japanese, this cricket produces a distinctive high-pitched chirp. Along with the bell cricket, it is one of the most beloved singing insects in Japanese tradition.

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Did You Know?

The matsumushi appears in one of Japan's most famous children's songs, 'Mushi no Koe' (Voice of the Insects), celebrating autumn singing insects.