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Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:03 pm
by Dave
What in the name of all that's holy is this?
Durlston CP, Dorset
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:32 pm
by eccles
It's a dark bush cricket male.
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:15 pm
by Denise
That gave me the best laugh that i've had in days Dave.
I agree with Mike, Dark Bush Cricket. They do look alien like tho, especially if seeing them for the first time.
Denise
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:30 pm
by Lee Hurrell
I'll be locking my windows tonight, that's for sure
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:55 pm
by Mikhail
It's a female. The ovipositor is hidden by a blade of grass.
Misha
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:13 pm
by eccles
It's possible Misha but I still think it's a male.
Do you have any more pics Dave?
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:55 pm
by geniculata
id agree with misha,
100% female on colouration and markings alone, let alone the fact that you can see the base of the ovipositor.
gary.
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:00 am
by Mikhail
Another thing that proves it's female is the fact that the wings are reduced to tiny flaps. In the male they are developed into the stridulatory apparatus, as in this 1974 slide.
Misha
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:44 am
by eccles
Well that told me, didn't it?
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:42 pm
by Dave
Hi - No more photos I'm afraid, it pulled a knife and nicked my camera
Re: Not Lepidoptera - Aliens
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:03 pm
by eccles
Bad cheese old chap. That's not cricket, what?