Topic: Grasshoppers

[Jayb]

I noticed a 2'' green grasshopper yesterday, I've never seen one so big! I thought they were all smaller up to about an inch long, made me jump when he came along and with long wings too.

[Palustris]

There is a native Green cricket which gets to about that size. Used to see a lot of them along the cliffs above Bossington Beach in Somerset.

[markfield rover]

I was given the willies too by a huge wasp thing it was nearly three inches long including an half inch sting thing, a little googling later it turned out to be a harmless giant wood wasp - still scary tho,

[Jayb]

Wow, I just googled giant wood wasp, one picture of one sitting on someone's hand- it looks huge. Where's the Eeek smiley when you need it!

There is a native Green cricket which gets to about that size. Used to see a lot of them along the cliffs above Bossington Beach in Somerset.

Another one landed with a loud thwack right next to me again today! Must be the season for them. I've been having a bit of a google to see which variety, not quite sure yet though.

[markfield rover]

Great picture,we used to and may well still do have a bug man at the local museum who will identify things for you  , he even lent me drawers of insects once . Mind you just at the moment the wind through the sweet corn makes me jump.