Bug FAQSpotted Camel Cricket
Ceuthophilus maculatus · Order: Orthoptera · Family: Rhaphidophoridae
Source: University of Minnesota Extension, yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu, extension.umaine.edu
Ceuthophilus maculatus is a wingless, hump-backed cricket about 1 to 2 cm long with long antennae and a glossy dark-brown body spotted with yellow-brown or reddish-brown markings. It lives at night in dark, moist places like under rocks, logs, bark, basements, crawlspaces and other damp indoor areas, feeding on fungi, plant material and other insects.
Source: Wikipedia, yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu, University of Minnesota Extension, extension.umaine.edu
How to recognize it
The cricket is dark brown and glossy, with yellow-brown to reddish-brown spots on its thorax and hind legs. It is hump-backed, wingless and brownish in overall color.
Source: Wikipedia, yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu, University of Minnesota Extension
Size
Adults measure between 10 and 19 mm (about 0.4 to 0.75 in) and have antennae as long as or longer than their bodies.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Camel crickets are mainly a nuisance in homes, especially basements, but they can also feed on fabrics like cotton, linen, silk and wool. They rarely reproduce indoors unless conditions stay dark and moist continuously. They are attracted to cool, dark, humid areas and often wander in from nearby suitable habitats.
Source: yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu, University of Minnesota Extension, extension.umaine.edu
How to get rid of it
Reduce outdoor breeding and hiding sites around the building as a first step. Treat indoor floor areas where they hide only as a last resort, since it offers limited benefit. Seal entry points to prevent them from getting inside.
Source: University of Minnesota Extension, yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
Where it lives
It is nocturnal and hides in dark, moist locations such as under rocks, soil, logs, bark, basements, crawlspaces, garages and laundry areas.
Source: Wikipedia, extension.umaine.edu
Where it comes from
This species is found in North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
Field crickets are known for their singing, which camel crickets do not do.
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 16 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, Indiana, Maine.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I keep camel crickets out of my home?
Eliminate outdoor breeding sites, seal cracks and gaps, and use an outdoor-labeled insecticide if needed.
Source: yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu, University of Minnesota Extension
Do camel crickets damage anything in the house?
Yes, they can chew on fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk and wool.
Source: University of Minnesota Extension, yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
Where are camel crickets usually found?
They live in dark, moist places like under rocks, logs, bark, and in basements or crawlspaces.
Source: Wikipedia, extension.umaine.edu
What do camel crickets look like?
They are wingless, hump-backed crickets about 1 to 2 cm long, dark brown with yellow-brown or reddish-brown spots, and have long antennae.
Source: Wikipedia, yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu, University of Minnesota Extension
Same family (Rhaphidophoridae)
Sources
- University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/crickets
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/camel-cricket
- extension.umaine.edu: https://extension.umaine.edu/home-and-garden-ipm/common-name-listing/camel-cricket/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceuthophilus_maculatus
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.