Allotments 4 All

Produce => Pests & Diseases => Topic started by: Jesse on May 25, 2006, 19:10:58

Title: What is this?
Post by: Jesse on May 25, 2006, 19:10:58
(http://www.news2share.co.uk/photos/2006/250506a.jpg)

I was testing out my new camera today and I photographed this little beastie. He was sitting on the tip of a new mint leaf. I thought it was a greenfly at first but not so sure. Does anyone know what he is? He is very small, the same size of a greenfly.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: dandelion on May 25, 2006, 19:18:18
No idea, but he looks very handsome!
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: redimp on May 25, 2006, 19:39:04
I have been right through my book and think you have discovered a new species - or it could possibly be some sort of leaf hopper.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Jesse on May 25, 2006, 19:59:36
I found him again outside in the herb patch, he's definitely not a greenfly like I first thought. He's got no wings. I've taken some more photos, this time he's sitting on a piece of flat leaf parsley, as you can see he's really teeny.

(http://www.news2share.co.uk/photos/2006/250506e.jpg)
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Svea on May 25, 2006, 20:16:49
no idea jesse - but you obviosly love your new camera :D

that first shot is one for the photo competition, me thinks.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Jesse on May 25, 2006, 20:29:23
thanks Svea, but isn't the comp an anonymous entry now?

been searching on google and can't find anything looking similar. does anyone know if there's a website where you can submit a photo for identification?
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: jennym on May 25, 2006, 20:40:01
Jesse, it may be some type of grasshopper instar/nymph. If it's not an adult insect, it tends to be more difficult to identify. There are lots of different types, but the body and antennae match some of the criteria for the very young stages of a grasshopper's lifecycle.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: redimp on May 25, 2006, 21:04:53
Grasshopper Nymphs
(http://static.flickr.com/2/1355383_6dd552c66f_m.jpg)

(http://www.ent.iastate.edu/images/orthoptera/grasshoppernymph.jpg)

(http://www.radleyvillage.org.uk/ourvillage/natural_history/images/grasshopper_IMGP0371.jpg)

Not entirely convinced jennym
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: dandelion on May 25, 2006, 21:13:20
Gardenweb has an insect forum
http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/insect/
Or try this :o http://forums.insecthobbyist.com/forum.php?catid=3
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Jesse on May 25, 2006, 22:14:05
thanks all, it does look like a very baby grasshopper of some sort.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: tim on May 26, 2006, 06:31:23
That must be a 'first'?? Never seen the like of it! Great picture.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Curryandchips on May 26, 2006, 09:29:37
Yes excellent picture ...

The grasshopper instar ID looks probable too, having checked many sites for comparisons. Couldn't find an exact match though.

Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: djbrenton on May 26, 2006, 09:46:29
If you know a member of the HDRA they could email it to see if they can identify it.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Jesse on May 26, 2006, 10:00:07
Thanks :) Is anyone here a member who would like to email it for me, I'm really curious now to know what it is.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: jennym on May 26, 2006, 10:43:51
Have emailed your photo Jesse, never done this before so don't know how long it takes. :)
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Paulines7 on May 26, 2006, 10:58:10
I have also sent a copy of it to someone who helped me identify the beefly that I put up recently. 
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Jesse on May 26, 2006, 11:04:26
ooooh thanks both :D Hope we'll get a positive id :)
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: stuffed on June 06, 2006, 18:55:33
I spotted 2 of these in my garden today, they were a little bigger than the one in your pics but definately the same thing.
They can hop pretty well so I'd go with an immature grasshopper or suchlike.
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: Paulines7 on June 06, 2006, 22:06:53
I have heard from my contact now regarding this little creature and he quotes:   "The insect is a Speckled Bush Cricket, you can see the speckling on its legs in particular.  This is the first stage nymph, not long emerged from its egg.  It will shed its skin several times as it grows until it reaches maturity in about early August by which time it will be about an inch long (excluding the legs).  They live in bushes and low tree foliage in open areas and are very common throughout southern England."

What a delightful little beastie it is.   ;D ;D
Title: Re: What is this?
Post by: stuffed on June 07, 2006, 09:53:38
Cool ;D ;D ;D