Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket
Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus
This record describes Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus (species). Recorded family: Stenopelmatidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Black head on adult males is diagnostic - Alice Abela/David Weissman It is possible that more than one species are represented by the BugGuide photos placed under this species, as the genus is currently being revised.
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
Geographic Range
Known from the California central valley
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket
What is Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket?
Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket (Ammopelmatus nigrocapitatus) is a species in the family Stenopelmatidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket?
Black head on adult males is diagnostic - Alice Abela/David Weissman
Where is Black-headed Jerusalem Cricket found?
Range: Known from the California central valley