Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket
Macrobaenetes kelsoensis
This record describes Macrobaenetes kelsoensis (species). Recorded family: Rhaphidophoridae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
When Tinkham described this species, an unnamed species of Ammobaenetes was mentioned as occurring here too. Apparently this species was never named; or, perhaps it is Ammobaenetes lariversi , which was described from further north. It would be similar in appearance, but smaller in size, with straighter hind tibiae in the males. Another large Camel Cricket - Ceuthophilus fossor - is found in the same areas with all of the Macrobaenetes species, also with straighter hind tibiae, and no sand-basked on the hind tibiae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Rhaphidophoridae (Camel Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Ceuthophilinae
- Genus
- Macrobaenetes (Sand-treader Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Live in burrows in sand dunes in Mojave Desert.
Geographic Range
Kelso Dune field, San Bernardino County, California
Seasonal Activity
Overwinter as nymphs with adults in spring, usually mostly gone by the end of June.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous, opportunistically carnivorous.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Macrobaenetes kelsoensis. 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 Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket
What is Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket?
Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket (Macrobaenetes kelsoensis) is a species in the family Rhaphidophoridae, within the order Orthoptera.
Where is Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Live in burrows in sand dunes in Mojave Desert. |
| Range | Kelso Dune field, San Bernardino County, California |
What does Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket eat?
The diet of the Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket includes Omnivorous, opportunistically carnivorous..
When is Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket active?
Kelso Dunes Giant Sand-treader Cricket: seasonal activity - Overwinter as nymphs with adults in spring, usually mostly gone by the end of June..