Crickets That Look Like Spiders

Spider-faced Leaf-rolling Cricket

• An Australian native, the spider-faced leaf-rolling cricket has markings on its face that make it appear to have the head and fangs of a spider. The body is yellowish, intensifying the contrast. They can spread their legs out wide and posture in a manner that resembles aggressive spiders, though the overall body shape looks like a cricket. The scientific name is Nunkeria brochis and it is part of the Gryllacrididae family.

Striped Raspy Cricket

• Though less pronounced than the leaf-rolling cricket, the striped raspy cricket features facial markings that also resemble the head and fangs of a spider. These crickets look very much like grasshoppers overall with a long thorax and pronounced wings, so it is unlikely to fool humans. However, in its own world, such markings are likely to be intimidating to predator insects.

Cave Crickets

• Cave crickets, also called camel crickets, prefer dark, cool environments and have long legs and antennae spread away from their bodies that make them appear to be spiders. Additionally, they don't chirp and appear aggressive. Their poor eyesight makes them quick to jump and they tend to alarm people, though they are harmless to humans.

Other Spider Mimics

• Other insects have adapted to look like spiders. For example, the American spider beetle has an arched back giving the appearance of a spider. It even walks like a spider. It even crawls like a spider. Metalmark moths have wings with markings that give the appearance of hairy spider legs, making them resemble jumping spiders. This has been identified in studies as a survival technique.