Black-sided Camel Cricket (Orthoptera of Iowa)

Black-sided Camel Cricket

Ceuthophilus latens

Identification ⁵

This species is probably the only Ceuthophilus species in Iowa that usually has a distinctive color pattern - an orange dorsal stripe contrasting with dark bands on both sides. Hubbell (1936) describes the dorsal stripe as "...Ochraceous Orange, occasionally Ochraceous Tawny, contrastingly bordered by very broad, dense reddish-brown to (usually) brownish-black or pitch-black bands extending half-way down lateral lobes..." It is possible that individuals with "Ochraceous Tawny" dorsal stripes will be more difficult to distinguish from other species.

The male final tergite has a membranous middle region (see line drawing from Hubbell (1936) at Orthoptera Species File). Hind femur is nearly spineless (see Fig 466-467 reproduced from Hubbell (1936) in the photo section). Most species have spines along the lower margin of the hind femur. Hind tibia spurs always black at the base. A decent view of the male last tergite can be seen in this photo: https://bugguide.net/node/view/870338.

Resources ⁵

Orthoptera of Michigan covers this species: https://archive.lib.msu.edu/DMC/Ag.%20Ext.%202007-Chelsie/PDF/e2815.pdf
Orthoptera Species File: http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1130186
The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 14: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/aac-aafc/agrhist/A42-42-1985-14-eng.pdf
Hubbell, T.H., 1936. A monographic revision of the genus Ceuthophilus (Orthoptera, Gryllacrididae, Rhaphidophorinae) (Vol. 2, No. 1). University of Florida.

Occurrence ⁵

Occurs from Maine to South Carolina, west to Iowa and Minnesota. In Iowa, occurs from approximately Iowa City east. See range map reproduced from Hubbell (1936) in the photo section.