Stenopelmatus lycosoides Walker

Wolf Jerusalem Cricket

Figs 76–77

1869 Stenopelmatus lycosoides . Catalogue of the Specimens of Dermaptera Saltatoria in the Collection of the British Museum 1:193. The holotype (Fig. 76) is a juvenile male, perhaps last or penultimate instar. (1) red label Holotype. (2) Mexico, 43.13 (3) Stenopelmatus lycosoides Walker. Measurements in mm: Body length 25, hind femur length 11.0, hind femur width 3.45. Rear leg tibia (Fig. 77) with 5 inner and 3 outer spines. Deposited NHMUK. New status: Nomen dubium.

Derivation of name. “lyco” is Greek for wolf. “oides” is Greek for like, resembling. Lycosoides was a genus of Mediterranean funnel weaver spiders described by Lucas in 1846.

Discussion. Given the fact that the holotype is not an adult and with a locality of “ Mexico ”, this is an easy decision in the face of high Jerusalem cricket species’ diversity in Mexico. In fact, given the lack of development of the rear leg tibial spines, we are not sure if this specimen belongs in Stenopelmatus or Ammopelmatus .