Monahans Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus monahansensis
This record describes Ammopelmatus monahansensis (species). Recorded family: Stenopelmatidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Texas considers this to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Stenopelmatidae (Jerusalem Crickets)
- Genus
- Ammopelmatus (Jerusalem Cricket)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Monahans and Mescalaro sandhills
Geographic Range
w. TX
Seasonal Activity
Jan-Dec
Diet and Behavior
Life History
burrow by day, roam by night
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Stenopelmatus monahanensis Stidham and Stidham 2001
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ammopelmatus monahansensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Monahans Jerusalem Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Monahans Jerusalem Cricket
What is Monahans Jerusalem Cricket?
Monahans Jerusalem Cricket (Ammopelmatus monahansensis) is a species in the family Stenopelmatidae, within the order Orthoptera.
Where is Monahans Jerusalem Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Monahans and Mescalaro sandhills |
| Range | w. TX |
When is Monahans Jerusalem Cricket active?
Monahans Jerusalem Cricket: seasonal activity - Jan-Dec.
What is the life cycle of a Monahans Jerusalem Cricket?
burrow by day, roam by night