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pygmy sand cricket

insect
Also known as: pygmy mole cricket

pygmy sand cricket, any member of the orthopteran family Tridactylidae of about 60 species that often inhabits moist sandy surfaces near a lake or stream. Tridactylidae have forelegs, modified for digging, that resemble those of a mole. Adult pygmy sand crickets are up to 10 mm (about 0.4 inch) long and are active jumpers. The males do not sing.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.