My Little Buddy, the Jerusalem Cricket

Down by our seasonal pond, I decided to find out if there was something under a rock I saw. Carefully rolling it over, I found a burrow with a little buddy inside! I would like all of you to say hello to my new friend, the Jerusalem Cricket! Isn't he cute? (I heard that...he is NOT ugly!)

These large, flightless insects are native to the western United States and parts of Mexico. In California, they are often referred to as a “potato bug", and oddly enough, they aren't true crickets and they don't eat potatoes! The name “Jerusalem cricket” is believed to have originated in the 19th century when ‘Jerusalem’ was commonly used as an expletive...isn't that horrible?? I do understand why people would be afraid of them because they are big and freaky looking! I've found these as a kid when I wasn't expecting it and I screamed my head off! :D (By the way, I carefully replaced the rock as I found it after taking my picture!)

If you would like more information about these fascinating insects, there's a really great page here: arthurevans.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/backyard-monsters-no...
Wiki also has an excellent source of information here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_cricket