"Spider Cricket Alert! Scientists Are Obsessed—Here’s Why You Should Fear (and Love) It!

Tue, 05 May 2026 07:38:45 +0000

Spider Cricket Alert! Scientists Are Obsessed—Here’s Why You Should Fear (and Love) It! In the hidden world of tiny predators, a tiny menace is capturing the attention of scientists—and maybe your backyard. Yes, you heard it right: spider crickets are making headlines, and there’s a good reason they’re generating fascination, fear, and a surprising love from the scientific community. ### What Are Spider Crickets? Spider crickets—also known as camel crickets or camouflage crickets—are not actually true crickets but belong to a family of insects called Anostostomatidae. Unlike their driven-forward relatives (real crickets), spider crickets awkwardly move sideways and have long, slender legs and large, curved antennae that look like spider pedipalps—hence the nickname. With no wings and a high-stepped gait, they blend seamlessly into dark, humid environments like basements, caves, and forest floors.