Potato Bugs live all over the Western United States and in parts of Mexico. Potato bugs are also sometimes known as Jerusalem crickets, but they aren’t from Jerusalem, nor are they scientifically classified with the cricket superfamily of Grylloidea. Potato bugs belong to the superfamily Stenopelmatoidea: their distant relations include the famous Parktown prawn of South Africa and the giant Weta of New Zealand. Potato bug adults measure about 5 cm long (2 in).

 

 

 

The Ways of the Potato Bug

Potato bugs are nocturnal. They get their nickname from the fact that they are often found buried in potato or other crop fields. During the fall and winter months, these creatures will go into hiding and will generally not resurface again until planting time. They don’t harm crops however, and they won’t hurt the plants in your garden.

Potato bugs feed on decaying root plants and tubules. They also eat other insects- many of them farmers’ pests.

Potato bugs actually do an important job for the ecosystem (improving the soil by eating and processing decaying matter) and by eating pests.

Potato bugs are also very docile, gentle guys. They are friendly bugs and just like to live their lives. They are not harmful or poisonous and will only bite if provoked. If you find one in the house, just scoop him gently into a cup and place him outside somewhere safe. The potato bug means nobody any harm and again, plays an important role in keeping the ecosystem healthy.