Marc:

I found this very strange bug in my yard, so I am going to unfortunately ask you your least favorite question. What on good gods earth is this bug I found in my house/garden? I don’t even know how to describe it. I had an exterminator visit last week in an effort to get ahead of the ants this year. I am sure the pesticide that was sprayed drove this little creature out of his nice home. It kind of looks like it has the back legs of a grasshopper, the body of a moth with a forked tail and wings that aren’t suitable for flying. The head and front legs look like a lobster but instead of claws it has spiked paddle looking things. As of now, it is still alive but suffering the affects of the pesticides. I have seen lots of bugs and usually don’t shy away from them, but this thing has me wanting to move just thinking that he might have friends just like him.

Photo Credit: M. Sorbellini

I love your description. And you have to admit the thing does look crazy-cool. Your mystery bug is a mole cricket (Gryllotalpidae). Good find, because most people never actually see them as they spend most of their life underground. They eat things like other soil dwelling larvae and roots of grasses. Some species can cause a lot of turf problems because of their tunnel systems below the ground…and a lot of companies spray pesticides for them, but that is more for people who really care what their lawns look like, such as golf courses.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS