A Katydid, aka Bush-cricket

[blackcatofmisery]

My brother was cleaning cars last night and came in the show me something. I immediately assumed a weird big, and I was right!

At first, I didn't see it, but a big ol' green big, about 7cm, was clinging to the center console of our mom's car. My big brother wanted me to remove it. No idea what he'd've done himself, but I got her out, and she didn't want to leave my arm. 💀

I'm glad to know we have these critters, though, because it could maybe explain some noises I've heard outside. I didn't expect her to be so big, though! I'm relatively okay with six legs and less, but the size of this bug had the hairs on my arm standing up. (She also wanted to play parrot on my shoulder. I'm not yet so willing.)

But my brother and I agree that he'll take care of spiders and stingy, stripey things; I'll catch other six-legs-and-less ones.

Fun fact: Katydids are believed to being good fortune! (Not necessarily financial.)

Comments

[full_metal_ox]

I particularly like the way it seems to be peering inquisitively through the grass in the top photo (from the bias of a species with front binocular vision, of course.)

And it’s good to hear that you and your brother have a Jack Sprat agreement regarding arthropod disposal.

[blackcatofmisery]

I'd taken some short videos from that same front angle, and with the grass all over, it was like a bit of a nature documentary showcasing a hunter.

I just have my limit with legs, since working with millipedes at a pet store. But I even have my limit with mammals, like mice, so my brother takes care of them, too. If I'm all by myself, however, with no one to fall back on, then I can call on my primal ancestors and dispose of whatever solo. I won't like it, but I can do it. ;w;

=^..^=~

[smallrobot]

Wow, this is so cool, thanks for sharing!! I'm so sorry for you, but I must admit I'm a little jealous, lol. Great pictures, documenting your encounter from all angles!

[blackcatofmisery]

I don't mind various bugs, if I see them first and know they're there. This one scared me by hopping (which I forgive her for; it's literally what she does), but she was massive for a bug! How could I have never seen one before???

But even with that kinda grossed out amazement, I was simply amazed. When I see neat bugs, I gotta get what pictures I can. Just because. Like, I'm severely allergic to the stingy bugs of the world, but if they're engrossed in blooming flowers, I will follow them for a photo-op, and I'm only using my phone, so I'm not exactly hidden a distance away.

I just think they're neat.

=^..^=~

[turlough]

Wow, that's a very big insect indeed! It looks almost exactly like one I saw a few years ago. That one was bigger than the rose it was perched on. Somehow the size make them look not quite real. Insects are supposed to be smaller!

[yourlibrarian]

She also wanted to play parrot on my shoulder. I'm not yet so willing.

Yeah, afraid I'm in the same boat there. There are some insects I wouldn't mind but they'd be smaller.

[morrow]

Wow, how gorgeous. I have never seen one of these before, so pretty!

[blackcatofmisery]

I hadn't seen one until that day. From the back, I assumed she was a grasshopper but can't remember the difference between them and crickets. Looking her up, I saw "bush-cricket" first and had no idea, but I know the name katydid, at least. I didn't know my area had them; you'd think I'd've seen such a large bug, but they really manage to blend in when still! A-plus predator/prey quality. I am just a pathetic predator, I guess; my prey has to be pointed out to me...

=^..^=~

[silveradept]

A little cute being, with good pictures.

[blackcatofmisery]

Thank you. uwu When I saw her face, I found her cute. The eyes remind me of the chocolate dot eyes on a Peeps chick.

=^..^=~

[adafrog]

Cool.

[sasha_feather]

so cool!!

[shirebound]

My goodness, I didn't know they grew that big!

[blackcatofmisery]

I didn't, either! Females, like this one, get to be about 7CM, while males only reach half the size. Kinda pushin' it for bug sizes to me.

=^..^=~

[mistressofmuses]

Nice pictures! I love katydids - they can definitely be quite loud sometimes, too. (Mainly clicking, at least the ones here - loud, repeated clicking.)