There’s a new invasive species to be concerned about: the Asian camel cricket.
Known for its long, spiky legs and voracious – sometimes even cannibalistic – appetite, this insect has actually been in the United States since the 19th century.Apart from the rare exceptions, scientists thought its populations were confined to commercial greenhouses. But a new report from researchers at North Carolina State University indicates that this is no longer the case.
In a paper published in the academic journal PeerJ, the NC State researchers report finding an abundance of Asian camel crickets inside homes east of the Mississippi. In fact, researchers say the insect has become so widespread in the region that it’s now more common than domestic species. For example, in households where camel crickets were identified, the Asian variety was found more than 90% of the time.
Homeowners should not panic if they discover these crickets in their home. They don’t bite or pose a health threat of any kind to humans. In fact, since Asian camel crickets are scavengers with seemingly insatiable appetites, researchers say these insects could actually provide an important service by eating dead matter in our basements and garages.
But it’s not yet known how Asian camel crickets are impacting local ecoystems. And after experiencing the damage caused by the Asian tiger mosquito, the Burmese python, zebra mussels, starlings, Asian carp, among many other invasive species, the potential environmental impacts of these hungry invaders certainly warrants further study.
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Too big to be noticed: cryptic invasion of Asian camel crickets in North American houses
Asian camel crickets invade eastern U.S.
Photo, posted August 25, 2013, courtesy of USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.