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Potato bug

The term "potato bug" is a common name used for at least two distinct and unrelated insects: the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a notorious leaf-feeding pest of potato crops, and the Jerusalem cricket (family Stenopelmatidae), a large, burrowing orthopteran native to arid regions of the western United States and Mexico; the term is also applied to certain isopods such as pillbugs and sowbugs. This ambiguity arises from regional usage, with the name historically linked to these species due to their occasional association with potato plants or soil near agricultural areas.^[1] Neither insect is a true bug in the taxonomic sense (order Hemiptera), and they belong to entirely different orders—Coleoptera for the beetle and Orthoptera for the cricket.^[1] The Colorado potato beetle, also known as the ten-striped spearman, is a small, convex beetle measuring about 3/8 inch (10 mm) long, with a yellow-orange body marked by ten black stripes on its wing covers and black spots on the thorax.^[2] Native to the Rocky Mountain region, it has spread widely across North America and Europe since the mid-19th century, becoming one of the most economically damaging pests of solanaceous crops like potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and eggplants (Solanum melongena).^[3] Adults and humpbacked, brick-red larvae feed voraciously on foliage, often defoliating plants in a single generation; the insect completes two to three generations per year, overwintering as adults in the soil.^[2] Its resistance to many insecticides has made integrated pest management, including crop rotation and natural enemies, essential for control.^[3] In contrast, the Jerusalem cricket is a wingless, nocturnal insect up to 2 inches (50 mm) long, characterized by its bald, humanoid-like head, orangish abdomen with black bands, long antennae, and spiny hind legs adapted for digging.^[1] Found in loose, sandy soils of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America, it spends most of its life burrowing underground, emerging at night or after rains to feed on dead organic matter, small insects, and occasionally plant roots or tubers.^[4] Despite its fearsome appearance and strong mandibles capable of inflicting a painful bite, it poses no significant threat to humans or major crops, serving instead as prey for birds, mammals, and reptiles; it may drum its abdomen against the soil to communicate, producing audible vibrations.^[1] The species lives up to two years, with females guarding egg clusters in burrows.^[1]

Taxonomy and Classification

Species Diversity

Jerusalem crickets, sometimes referred to as potato bugs, belong to the family Stenopelmatidae in the order Orthoptera, specifically within the subfamily Stenopelmatinae and tribe Stenopelmatini. This taxonomic group is characterized by two primary genera following recent revisions: Ammopelmatus, encompassing 20 species predominantly found in the western United States and Mexico, and Stenopelmatus, with 19 valid species distributed across Central America south of the U.S. border.^[5] Notable examples include Ammopelmatus fuscus (previously classified under Stenopelmatus), a species common in the southwestern United States, and Ammopelmatus californicus, found in California. In Stenopelmatus, representative species such as S. talpa and S. typhlops highlight the genus's diversity in Mesoamerican habitats. These species exemplify the group's morphological and acoustic variations used in modern delineations. The revision notes that many more species likely exist undescribed, with estimates exceeding 60 in North America.^[5] Taxonomic uncertainties persist, particularly in Stenopelmatus, where 13 named entities are designated as nomen dubium due to inadequate type material or diagnostic features for validation. Historical reclassifications have consolidated the group, including the synonymization of genera like Stenopelmatopterus and Viscainopelmatus under Stenopelmatus and Ammopelmatus, respectively, alongside the transfer of 17 taxa (16 from the U.S. and one from Mexico) to Ammopelmatus.^[5] Evolutionarily, Jerusalem crickets represent flightless orthopterans specialized for burrowing, with robust forelegs adapted for excavating soil and a lifestyle centered on subterranean environments, setting them apart from stridulating, often winged true crickets in the family Gryllidae. Their diversification reflects phylogeographic patterns driven by Neogene geological events, such as mountain formation in Mexico, fostering cryptic species richness across North and Central America.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Etymology and Common Names

The term "potato bug" for Jerusalem crickets (genera Ammopelmatus and Stenopelmatus) originates from their burrowing habits, which can lead them to feed on potato tubers and roots, occasionally causing damage to crops.^[1] This name reflects early agricultural observations in the western United States and Mexico, where the insects were noted near root vegetables, though they are omnivorous and not specialized potato pests.^[8] The name "Jerusalem cricket" has unclear etymology, with several hypotheses proposed. One theory links it to a historical use of "Jerusalem!" as an exclamation of surprise or profanity when encountering the startling appearance of these large, bald-headed insects, a usage common in 19th-century English.^[9] Another suggests origins in a blend of Navajo indigenous terminology and Christian missionary influences, possibly by Franciscan priests who associated the insect's skull-like head with religious imagery or a "child of the earth" motif. The genus Stenopelmatus was first established in 1838 by Johann Friedrich von Brandt and Johann Heinrich Burmeister, marking early scientific recognition, though common names like "potato bug" appeared in entomological literature shortly thereafter, such as in references by Charles Valentine Riley in 1888. In Spanish-speaking regions, particularly Mexico and the southwestern United States, Jerusalem crickets are commonly known as niño de la tierra ("child of the earth") or cara de niño ("child's face"), names derived from the insect's smooth, bald, humanoid-like head and small eyes, which early Spanish colonists likened to a baby's features.^[8] These terms highlight cultural perceptions in Native American and Hispanic communities, where the insect is sometimes viewed with affection or folklore significance.^[10] Other regional names include "skull insect" due to the head's bony appearance, "sand cricket," and "black field cricket," reflecting habitat associations with arid soils.^[10] Despite these monikers, Jerusalem crickets are neither true crickets (family Gryllidae) nor bugs (order Hemiptera); they belong to the family Stenopelmatidae within the order Orthoptera.^[9] The name "potato bug" can cause confusion with actual potato pests like the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a true beetle (Coleoptera) that is a significant agricultural threat.^[1]

Physical Characteristics

The term "potato bug" refers to two unrelated insects, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) and the Jerusalem cricket (genus Stenopelmatus, including S. fuscus). Their physical characteristics differ markedly due to belonging to different orders.

Colorado potato beetle

The Colorado potato beetle is a small, convex beetle measuring about 10 mm (3/8 inch) in length. It has a yellow-orange body with ten black stripes on the elytra (wing covers) and black spots on the prothorax. The larvae are humpbacked and brick-red with black head and spots.^[2] Sexual dimorphism in the Colorado potato beetle is subtle, primarily in the structure of tarsal setae for adhesion, with females generally slightly larger than males.

Morphology

The Jerusalem cricket (Stenopelmatus fuscus) is a wingless and flightless orthopteran insect measuring 30 to 50 mm in length as an adult.^[11]^[9] Its body is characterized by a robust, shiny exoskeleton that provides protection and structural support, typically exhibiting a reddish-brown to dark brown coloration with darker stripes or bands on the abdomen.^[12]^[1] The head is notably bulbous and rounded, resembling a humanoid shape, with prominent, powerful mandibles adapted for feeding on organic matter and small invertebrates; the eyes are small and contribute to limited eyesight.^[1]^[9] The legs are a key feature, with the forelegs being particularly powerful and equipped with spines, enabling efficient burrowing in loose soil; the hind legs are also spiny, aiding in locomotion and digging.^[1]^[9] Antennae are long and thread-like, serving as primary chemosensory organs for navigating dark, underground environments.^[1] At the posterior end, short cerci—stout, spine-tipped appendages—function in sensory detection, including sensitivity to vibrations in the substrate, complementing subgenual organs in the legs that also perceive low-frequency tremors.^[9]^[13] Coloration in S. fuscus shows variation, ranging from pale yellow on the head, thorax, and legs to darker mahogany tones on the abdomen, often with blackish stripes; individuals in arid habitats tend toward darker shades that enhance camouflage against soil and debris.^[11]^[12] The exoskeleton's smooth, shiny texture not only deters predators but also helps retain moisture in dry conditions by minimizing water loss through the cuticle.^[14] Sexual dimorphism is evident in head shape, with males possessing a more pronounced bulbous occiput compared to females.^[9]

Sexual Dimorphism

Jerusalem crickets exhibit female-biased sexual size dimorphism, with females generally larger than males to support egg production and post-mating behaviors such as potential cannibalism. In Stenopelmatus sp., adult females reach mean body lengths of 36.3 mm (up to approximately 50 mm in some species), while males average 32.9 mm (up to about 40 mm), reflecting adaptations for reproductive investment in females.^[15]^[9] Males possess longer and more robust hind legs compared to females, with mean hind leg lengths of 25.7 mm in males versus 19.4 mm in females, facilitating drumming behaviors for mate attraction through substrate vibration. Females, in contrast, have broader abdomens adapted for oviposition, allowing them to lay clusters of 20–120 eggs in burrows.^[15] Females also tend to have stronger mandibles, with mean lengths of 7.0 mm compared to 6.4 mm in males, which may enable post-mating cannibalism observed in related species and nymphs.^[16] Research on subtle traits, such as antennal length differences, remains incomplete due to small sample sizes and limited field observations from 20th-century studies, highlighting gaps in understanding fine-scale dimorphism across Stenopelmatus species.^[16]^[15]

Habitat and Distribution

Geographic Range

Jerusalem crickets, commonly known as potato bugs, are primarily distributed across western North America, extending from southwestern Canada through the western United States, Mexico, and into Central America as far south as Panama, with one species recorded in Ecuador.^[17] Their range is concentrated in arid and semi-arid regions, often associated with sandy or loose soils suitable for burrowing.^[18] The genus Ammopelmatus is predominantly found in the arid southwestern United States, including states such as California, Arizona, and extending eastward to parts of the Great Plains in limited occurrences, while remaining west of the Rocky Mountains overall.^[19] In contrast, the genus Stenopelmatus occupies more tropical and highland zones, ranging from northern Mexico southward through Central America.^[17] Historical distribution patterns suggest that northern populations likely resulted from post-glacial recolonization following the retreat of ice sheets during the Pleistocene, allowing expansion into previously glaciated areas of western North America.^[20] No significant range shifts have been documented in recent climate data through 2025, though localized studies indicate potential westward contractions in some desert-adapted species due to increasing aridity.^[21] Introduced populations outside the native range are rare, with no confirmed established non-native populations reported.^[17]

Environmental Preferences

Potato bugs, commonly known as Jerusalem crickets (family Stenopelmatidae), thrive in loose, sandy or loamy soils that facilitate burrowing, as these substrates allow for efficient excavation of tunnels using their specialized forelegs.^[9]^[8] They avoid densely compacted soils, which hinder their digging capabilities and limit access to subterranean resources.^[13] These insects inhabit a range of biomes characterized by aridity, including grasslands, chaparral scrublands, sand dunes, and semi-arid woodlands or forests where organic matter accumulates.^[21]^[22] In desert ecosystems like aeolian sand communities, they favor areas with sparse to mixed vegetation cover, such as open dunes or low shrub habitats dominated by species like shin oak (Quercus havardii).^[22] Microhabitats typically consist of shallow burrows, constructed beneath rocks, logs, or debris piles to provide shelter and humidity retention.^[1] Surface activity occurs nocturnally, particularly in moist conditions following rainfall, when they emerge to forage in areas enriched with decaying vegetation.^[21]^[13] To cope with arid environments, potato bugs exhibit burrowing behaviors that shield them from extreme heat and desiccation during the day, while their preference for locales with decomposing plant material ensures access to moisture and suitable microclimates.^[9]^[22] This subterranean lifestyle, supported by robust digging adaptations, underscores their resilience in xeric habitats across western North America.^[8]

Behavior and Ecology

Daily Activities and Communication

Jerusalem crickets exhibit a strictly nocturnal lifestyle, remaining concealed in shallow burrows during the day to evade predators and conserve moisture in their arid habitats.^[13] These burrows, often dug in loose soil under rocks or logs, provide a secure refuge where the insects rest motionless until dusk.^[23] Upon emergence at nightfall, they become active, wandering across the surface to forage and perform other behaviors before retreating before dawn to minimize exposure.^[24] Communication among Jerusalem crickets relies heavily on vibrational signals rather than audible sounds, as they lack typical cricket ears.^[24] Males and females produce drumming sounds by rapidly striking their abdomen against the substrate, generating vibrations at rates up to 40 beats per second that propagate through the ground.^[24] These signals serve dual purposes: establishing territorial boundaries and attracting potential mates during courtship, with patterns varying by species and sex.^[4] Recipients detect these low-frequency vibrations primarily through subgenual organs located in their legs, supplemented by sensory structures on the cerci for finer directional cues.^[13] In defensive scenarios, Jerusalem crickets employ chemical and physical deterrents to ward off threats. When handled or cornered, they release a pungent secretion from abdominal glands, creating a foul odor that repels attackers.^[25] Additionally, their powerful mandibles can inflict a painful bite, though it is non-venomous and poses no long-term health risk to humans. Overall, these insects maintain a solitary and territorial social structure, with interactions beyond brief mating encounters being rare and often aggressive, potentially leading to cannibalism if territories overlap.^[26]

Diet and Foraging

Jerusalem crickets, commonly known as potato bugs, exhibit an omnivorous diet primarily centered on detritivory, consuming dead plant matter such as decaying roots and tubers, which has led to their colloquial name due to occasional encounters with potato crops. They also feed on fungi and other organic debris found underground, contributing to nutrient cycling in soil ecosystems.^[27] In addition to plant-based foods, they opportunistically prey on small insects and even conspecifics when available, using their powerful mandibles to tear through tough materials.^[28] Their foraging strategy is predominantly nocturnal, with individuals emerging from burrows at night to scavenge on the surface, particularly after rain when prey and moist detritus are more accessible; during the day, they remain hidden underground to avoid predation.^[9] This behavior aligns with their broader nocturnal activity patterns, allowing them to exploit ephemeral resources like weakened live insects without direct competition.^[29] While they tunnel to access roots and tubers subsurface, surface scavenging forms a key component of their feeding ecology, especially in loose, sandy soils.^[13] Jerusalem crickets possess nutritional adaptations suited to their detritivorous lifestyle, including robust mandibles that enable efficient processing of lignin-rich and fibrous plant materials like decaying wood and roots, facilitating breakdown in their digestive system.^[30] Despite their root-feeding habits, assessments indicate no significant agricultural impact, as populations rarely reach levels causing economic crop damage, contrary to their pest reputation among some potato farmers.^[31] Seasonal variations influence their foraging, with increased surface activity and tuber consumption observed during wet, cool periods in late fall through early spring, when moist conditions enhance detritus availability and mobility.^[30] In drier seasons, they rely more heavily on underground resources like buried roots, minimizing exposure while sustaining their diet through burrowing.^[13]

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Jerusalem crickets exhibit a reproductive strategy centered on underground activities, with mating typically occurring in the fall in many populations. Males attract females by drumming their abdomens on the ground to produce species-specific vibrations, facilitating mate location and recognition.^[32] Following successful copulation, which requires precise body alignment and is more likely when males are smaller than females—a reflection of sexual size dimorphism—females may engage in sexual cannibalism, consuming the male post-mating.^[13]^[12] This behavior, observed in several species, potentially provides nutritional benefits to the female for egg production.^[33] Females lay eggs shortly after mating, depositing them in small clutches deep within soil burrows or nest-like holes, often during the fall season.^[33]^[32] These oval, white eggs, measuring about 3 mm in length, overwinter in the soil, with incubation lasting through the cold months until hatching in spring or early summer.^[9] Some females may produce multiple clutches if conditions allow, contributing to the species' low reproductive rate.^[33] Upon hatching, nymphs emerge resembling miniature adults and remain subterranean, undergoing incomplete metamorphosis through 9 to 11 molts over 1 to 2 years to reach maturity, though northern or high-elevation populations may require up to 3 years.^[1]^[33] Nymphs consume their shed exoskeletons after each molt, recycling nutrients in their burrow environment. Adults, which emerge primarily in late summer or fall, live for 2 to 6 months, during which they focus on reproduction; they are typically non-reproductive after a single season and do not survive to breed again.^[13]^[33] The life cycle is marked by high mortality, particularly among nymphs, which face significant predation from birds such as owls and kestrels, as well as other subterranean threats.^[12] Adults are vulnerable to desiccation due to their large size and reliance on moist soil habitats, exacerbating risks in arid environments.^[34] Overall, the extended developmental period and low fecundity contribute to slow population recovery in Jerusalem crickets.^[33]

Human Interactions

Cultural Significance

In Hopi culture, the Jerusalem cricket, known as Sösööpa, holds a prominent place in the katsina pantheon as a benevolent spirit being, depicted through katsintihu (carved dolls) and in ceremonial dances. These representations emphasize its role in fostering strength and endurance, particularly through racing rituals where the insect-inspired katsina thrashes participants with yucca whips to build physical prowess and invoke rain, symbolizing the rush of water in arroyos.^[35] The katsinam, including Sösööpa, visit the Hopi people annually from January to July, blessing communities with harmony, health, and natural abundance.^[35] Among the Navajo, the insect is referred to as a "skull insect" or "sand cricket," appearing in myths tied to the Hail Chant ceremony and tales of baldness, where killing one is believed to cause hair loss, linking it to themes of caution and natural consequence.^[35] These stories portray it as a trickster-like figure connected to earthly forces, with possible influences from neighboring Tarahumara beliefs associating it with rain-making.^[35] Its humanoid head shape has inspired such evocative names across indigenous traditions, underscoring its role as an enigmatic earth dweller. In Spanish-influenced folklore, particularly in Mexican and southwestern U.S. communities, the Jerusalem cricket is called niño de la tierra ("child of the earth"), a euphemism reflecting its child-like, humanoid facial features and evoking a sense of cautious reverence toward the land's mysterious inhabitants.^[36] This naming convention aligns with broader cultural practices of softening references to formidable creatures through personification. In modern contexts, Jerusalem crickets have gained visibility in educational media during the 2020s, appearing in insect-focused documentaries and online videos that highlight their ecological role in soil health and biodiversity conservation.^[37] These portrayals promote awareness of native arthropods, countering misconceptions and encouraging appreciation for their non-threatening contributions to ecosystems.

As Pests or Threats

Jerusalem crickets, commonly known as potato bugs, pose minimal agricultural risks despite their name suggesting otherwise. They occasionally damage roots of garden plants or turf by burrowing and feeding on non-woody roots and tubers, but such incidents are rare and do not result in economically significant losses, unlike the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a true pest that devastates potato crops.^[1] To humans, Jerusalem crickets present limited threats, primarily through defensive behaviors. Their bites, delivered by strong mandibles when handled or threatened, are painful and can cause localized swelling, skin irritation, or an itchy rash, though they lack venom and pose no serious health risks.^[26]^[38] Additionally, when disturbed, they release an unpleasant, foul-smelling odor from defensive glands, which is harmless but can deter predators or handlers.^[39] Control measures for Jerusalem crickets are seldom required due to their low pest status and ecological benefits as detritivores that aerate soil and recycle nutrients by consuming decaying organic matter. When present in unwanted areas like gardens, manual removal by hand or shovel, combined with habitat modifications such as reducing moist debris, mulch, or ground cover, effectively manages populations without chemicals. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines, including those updated through 2025, explicitly recommend avoiding pesticides to preserve their role in soil health and avoid unnecessary environmental harm.^[1]^[40]^[41] A common misconception arises from the "potato bug" moniker, which leads some to overestimate their destructiveness to crops; in reality, they incidentally feed on roots but primarily act as beneficial decomposers rather than destroyers.^[42]

Other Organisms Referred to as Potato Bugs

The term "potato bug" is applied regionally to several unrelated organisms beyond the Jerusalem cricket (Stenopelmatus fuscus and related species in the Stenopelmatidae family), often due to superficial resemblances or associations with potato crops.^[43] These misnomers arise from historical agricultural contexts in the 19th century, when early farming texts interchangeably used the name for various pests affecting Solanaceae plants like potatoes.^[43] While the Jerusalem cricket remains the primary referent in many western North American regions for its burrowing habits near potato fields, the following species are commonly confused with it.^[44] The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a chrysomelid beetle native to the Rocky Mountains, is a notorious defoliator of Solanaceae crops including potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants.^[45] Adults feature distinctive yellow elytra marked by ten black longitudinal stripes, earning them the folk name "potato bug" since their first recorded potato infestation in Colorado in 1859.^[2] This species rapidly spread eastward, becoming a major agricultural threat across North America by the late 19th century due to its high fecundity—females lay up to 800 eggs per season—and resistance to multiple insecticides.^[43] Unlike the Jerusalem cricket, it poses no direct threat to humans but causes significant economic losses, with historical records from the 1860s documenting crop devastation in states like New York and Pennsylvania.^[44] Pill bugs, particularly Armadillidium vulgare and similar terrestrial isopods in the Armadillidiidae family, are crustaceans often misidentified as "potato bugs" in garden settings due to their segmented, armored appearance and presence near potato plants.^[46] These woodlice thrive in moist, organic-rich environments like damp soil and leaf litter, where they curl into protective balls when disturbed—a behavior absent in true insects.^[47] As harmless decomposers, they feed on decaying plant matter rather than live crops, contributing to soil health without damaging potatoes or other vegetables.^[48] Common in North American gardens since their introduction from Europe in the 1800s, they pose no pest risk and are beneficial for nutrient recycling.^[46] Such regional confusions stem from 19th-century agricultural bulletins that broadly labeled any potato-damaging arthropod as a "bug," without precise taxonomy.^[49] These terms highlight the need for clear identification to distinguish harmless or unrelated species from actual threats.^[44]

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They also are sometimes called potato bugs because they are occasional pests of potatoes, but the name “potato bug” is confusing because it is applied to ...
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Even though they are related to grasshoppers, crickets and katydids, the Jerusalem cricket is not a fast runner, nor is it a jumping insect. It never develops ...Missing: potato
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[43]
Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), and False ...
Colorado Potato Beetle ... It had a series of names from 1863 to 1867, including the ten-striped spearman, ten-lined potato beetle, potato-bug, and new potato bug ...
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Colorado Potato Beetle - University of Vermont
Prior to the coming of the Colorado potato beetle as a pest, the name "potato bug" was used to describe a different beetle that is a relatively minor pest on ...
[45]
Colorado Potato Beetle Management | Entomology
Colorado potato is commonly referred to as the 'potato bug'. The Colorado potato beetle is notorious for its ability to rapidly develop resistance to ...
[46]
[PDF] Roly Poly
The Roly Poly is also known as pill-bug, doodle bug, potato bug, and pill woodlouse. They are not sow bugs, because sow bugs do not roll up in a ball.
[47]
ASU-Ask A Biologist - Ugly Bug Contest
I'm so ugly I have no enemies... pillbug. Genus species: Armadillidium vulgare, Order: Isopoda (Pill Bug, potato bug or roly-poly)
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Armadillidium vulgare; Pill Bug
common names Cloporte Vulgaire, Pillbug (ITIS ) Pill Bug, Potato Bug, Roly Poly, Woodlouse, Pill Woodlouse (photographer); View all photos in CalPhotos of ...
[49]
Sweetpotato & Irish Potato Insects - HGIC@clemson.edu
May 23, 2025 · Universally known among growers as the potato bug, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) was long considered the most dangerous ...
[50]
A Bug's Life - Spud Smart
Oct 27, 2014 · For a while the beetle was known by different names such as potato bug, ten-lined beetle and ten-striped spearman. In 1867, entomologist ...