Revealed! The Jerusalem Giant Flea Turns Out Not from Palestine

JERUSALEM – Jerusalem fleas , an interesting name for this flightless insect, it is not actually a cricket, not an insect, and does not originate from Jerusalem.

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These giant insects belong to two genera, and the nickname “potato bug” may refer to the Jerusalem cricket, woodlice, or Colorado potato beetle.

As reported by IFL Science, Sunday (5/5/2024), it is indeed confusing! Let’s explore it in more depth.

Although its name takes us into the world of chirping crickets, the Jerusalem Cricket is not actually a true cricket. They belong to the order Orthoptera, the same as grasshoppers and crickets, but they belong to different families.

Even more confusing, the Jerusalem Cicada is also not a true insect. True insects have wings divided into two pairs, while Jerusalem crickets only have small forewings hidden under their pronotum. Their hind wings have evolved into scale-like organs used for jumping.

The origin of the name “potato bug” is not entirely clear. One theory suggests that because they feed on potato plants and resemble the Colorado potato beetle, farmers mistakenly identify them as potato pests.

Another theory suggests that the name comes from their habit of digging holes in the ground, which resemble the holes made by potato rats.

Although their name takes us to the Holy Land, Jerusalem Crickets do not actually originate from Jerusalem.

They originate from North America, and can be found in the southwestern region of the United States and Mexico. The name “Jerusalem” likely comes from their initial introduction to California, where they were mistakenly identified as a species that had been brought from Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem cricket is an interesting giant insect with a confusing name. While not crickets, insects, or native to Jerusalem, they are an interesting part of North America’s biodiversity.

Hope this information helps! If you have any other questions about the Jerusalem Cicada or any other insect, please don’t hesitate to ask.

(wbs)