Identify an insect for me please!!!

fretmeister · #1 by **fretmeister** » Oct 01, 2010 10:00 am

The locust / grasshopper looking insect was found in a box of medical supplies that came in from Spain.

It's probably totally harmless but my friend at the NHS gets in a flap whenever anything living is found in a box!

Any ideas?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e259/ ... G00101.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e259/ ... G00071.jpg

ta

Mazille · #2 by **Mazille** » Oct 01, 2010 10:09 am

It certainly belongs to the order of Ensifera (crickets, grasshopers, etc.) and perhaps a true cricket (Gryllidae). Couldn't tell for sure, though. African Arthropods aren't exactly my strong suit.
Still, make sure it's dead. Loads of crickets tend to be pests.

At least it's not a Libanasidus vittatus, or Parktown Prawn. Those are vile bastards. :puke:

fretmeister · #3 by **fretmeister** » Oct 01, 2010 10:14 am

That Prawn thing is weird. Never seen one of those before.

ta muchly!

Mazille · #4 by **Mazille** » Oct 01, 2010 10:20 am

Now that I think of it: Why on earth did I fix myself on Africa? Seeing that it's from Spain it might just be your common Nemobius sylvestris or something of the sort. Nothing too exotic in any case.

ETA: Don't have my books with me at the moment, or I'd be able to tell you more.

Calilasseia · #5 by **Calilasseia** » Oct 01, 2010 11:51 am

This website may be of assistance here. I'm running through the taxonomic tree right now.

First possibility that comes up from the search is Acheta domesticus, the Indian House Cricket, which is an alien introduction that has become semi-naturalised in parts of Europe. A second possibility is Decticus verrucivorus.

Here's some photos:

[1] Acheta domesticus :

[2] Decticus verrucivorus :

Mazille · #6 by **Mazille** » Oct 01, 2010 11:59 am

Nah, I would be willing to bet that it isn't Acheta domesticus. Too dark and too bulky, as far as I can see.

Goldenmane · #7 by **Goldenmane** » Oct 01, 2010 12:02 pm

It's an insect.

Yep, definitely an insect.

Hope that helps.

Mazille · #8 by **Mazille** » Oct 01, 2010 12:10 pm

Mazille wrote:Nah, I would be willing to bet that it isn't Acheta domesticus. Too dark and too bulky, as far as I can see.

To offer my credentials on this: I've got reptiles here who eat the ugly fuckers. Couldn't remember seeing a house cricket like that one.

Mr.Samsa · #9 by **Mr.Samsa** » Oct 01, 2010 12:18 pm

Goldenmane wrote:It's an insect.

Yep, definitely an insect.

Hope that helps.

I'm not sure about that, I have an academic text lying around somewhere which highlights the fact that an insect, by definition, has only four legs and four feet whereas the creature in the OP apparently has six of each. The book is called "The Bible", and it's a good book to be honest. It's a collection of articles but all collated by some guy who just goes by the singular name "God" (I guess he's got a Madonna or Prince thing going on).

Anyway, you're demonstrably wrong there so sorry about that! :grin:

katja z · **#10** by **katja z** » Oct 01, 2010 12:21 pm

^^ I strongly suspect Mazille, who seems to be a well-read guy, is familiar with that classic biology textbook. I think he's just pulling our legs.

:naughty2:

Mazille · **#11** by **Mazille** » Oct 01, 2010 12:39 pm

katja z wrote:^^ I strongly suspect Mazille, who seems to be a well-read guy, is familiar with that classic biology textbook. I think he's just pulling our legs.

You mean I'm pulling four legs. :naughty2:

Sorry.

I know I shouldn't have done that. It hurt me more than it hurt you, believe me.

katja z · **#12** by **katja z** » Oct 01, 2010 12:53 pm

^^ I'm not talking to you anyway. You are an abomination. It says so in the book Mr. Samsa referenced, in the "Leviticus" section. :tongue2:

Edited to cite source.
Various authors: Teh Holey Bible (tr. King James (?)). Various places: Divine Publishing, Various dates. 11:10.

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.

Goldenmane · **#13** by **Goldenmane** » Oct 01, 2010 2:12 pm

Mr.Samsa wrote:
Goldenmane wrote:It's an insect.

Yep, definitely an insect.

Hope that helps.

I'm not sure about that, I have an academic text lying around somewhere which highlights the fact that an insect, by definition, has only four legs and four feet whereas the creature in the OP apparently has six of each. The book is called "The Bible", and it's a good book to be honest. It's a collection of articles but all collated by some guy who just goes by the singular name "God" (I guess he's got a Madonna or Prince thing going on).

Anyway, you're demonstrably wrong there so sorry about that!

LIFE · **#14** by **LIFE** » Oct 01, 2010 2:19 pm

Reminds me of this:

Mazille · **#15** by **Mazille** » Oct 01, 2010 2:31 pm

katja z wrote:^^ I'm not talking to you anyway. You are an abomination. It says so in the book Mr. Samsa referenced, in the "Leviticus" section.

Edited to cite source.
Various authors: Teh Holey Bible (tr. King James (?)). Various places: Divine Publishing, Various dates. 11:10.
And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.

But... but... Blobfish have fins.

katja z · **#16** by **katja z** » Oct 01, 2010 2:46 pm

Mazille wrote:
But... but... Blobfish have fins.

Ah, that's a different matter. But only if they also have proper scales. They look pretty slimy to me, which is a definite indicator of abominableness, but I'm prepared to reconsider. As long as they have a maximum of four legs, of course. We've got to maintain some standards. :shifty:

Berthold · **#17** by **Berthold** » Oct 03, 2010 10:23 am

Mazille wrote:
katja z wrote:Edited to cite source.

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.

But... but... Blobfish have fins.

Does it have scales, too? This expert opinion may get into some difficulties judging it (as proposed) by the shape of its head.

Identify an insect for me please!!!

Identify an insect for me please!!!

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