California Camel Cricket
Ceuthophilus californianus
This record describes Ceuthophilus californianus (species). Recorded family: Rhaphidophoridae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Relatively plain in coloring. Large rounded head. Distinction from related (more southern) C. hesperus is difficult where they overlap distributions (approximately in Los Angeles County). Male external genitalia differ in shape, but females are basically identical.
Wikipedia reference for Ceuthophilus californianus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceuthophilus_californianus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Rhaphidophoridae (Camel Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Ceuthophilinae
- Genus
- Ceuthophilus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California; reported from Sonoma to Los Angeles Counties.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Ceuthophilus californianus. 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 California Camel Cricket (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About California Camel Cricket
What is California Camel Cricket?
California Camel Cricket (Ceuthophilus californianus) is a species in the family Rhaphidophoridae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify California Camel Cricket?
Relatively plain in coloring. Large rounded head. Distinction from related (more southern) C. hesperus is difficult where they overlap distributions (approximately in Los Angeles County). Male external genitalia differ in shape, but females are basically identical.
Where is California Camel Cricket found?
Range: California; reported from Sonoma to Los Angeles Counties.