Coast Sand-treader Cricket
Rhachocnemis validus
This record describes Rhachocnemis validus (species). Recorded family: Rhaphidophoridae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Light-colored Camel Cricket with sand basket on hind tibiae. Most easily identified to genus and species by where found.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Rhaphidophoridae (Camel Crickets)
- Subfamily
- Ceuthophilinae
- Genus
- Rhachocnemis (Sand-treader Crickets)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Dunes near and along Pacific coast in California. Recorded from near Point Reyes to Santa Barbara.
Seasonal Activity
Adults year-round, but most abundantly in late winter
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous scavengers, and at least opportunistically carnivorous.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Scudder, 1894
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Rhachocnemis validus. 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 Coast Sand-treader Cricket (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by R.J. Adams; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Coast Sand-treader Cricket
What is Coast Sand-treader Cricket?
Coast Sand-treader Cricket (Rhachocnemis validus) is a species in the family Rhaphidophoridae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Coast Sand-treader Cricket?
Light-colored Camel Cricket with sand basket on hind tibiae. Most easily identified to genus and species by where found.
Where is Coast Sand-treader Cricket found?
Range: Dunes near and along Pacific coast in California. Recorded from near Point Reyes to Santa Barbara.
What does Coast Sand-treader Cricket eat?
The diet of the Coast Sand-treader Cricket includes Omnivorous scavengers, and at least opportunistically carnivorous..
When is Coast Sand-treader Cricket active?
Coast Sand-treader Cricket: seasonal activity - Adults year-round, but most abundantly in late winter.