In defense of the Jerusalem Cricket

Worm 2: Big Jaw Johnny

For those unfamiliar, this is a Jerusalem Cricket. They have gained a small reputation online, largely through memes talking about all the various ways you can kill them or they can kill you.

Of course, it's mostly bullshit. The Jerusalem cricket does have a nasty bite- their jaw is designed to chew rocks, of course it hurts. It also doesn't help that they're several inches long and look like this.

Don't let this fool you!

The Potato Bug is really just the militarized version of the worm

I'm serious. It digs around underground as much as possible, only coming up for food, water, and mating purposes. It is capable of biting you, but it no more wants to bite you than it wants to do anything else. If we can forgive bees for stinging, and cats for scratching, we should forgive Jawcules Crickets for chewing.