One for the bug hunters
By Craig McGinty on Jul 2, 2009 in Current Affairs.
I HAD to slowly back away from the computer screen after opening an email from reader Steve Pritchard with a photograph of this bug attached.
He is hoping that other readers of the site will be able to identify what type of beetle it is, he saw it whilst out walking near a vineyard at Peyriac de Mer just west of Narbonne (map).
Click on the thumbnail image to get a better view of the beast, and if you know what it is please leave a comment below.
I think it is a female cricket nymph s it has no wings, and possibly a variety of house cricket
Posted by: colin | 02/07/2009 at 10:02
Not a nymph but indeed a female cricket: Ephippigère des vignes (Ephippiger ephippiger). It is a type of bush cricket which bears wing atrophy. Well, I have spent way too much time in the countryside as a child ...
Posted by: Singing cricket | 02/07/2009 at 11:05
Hi there,
Many thanks for replying, I'm sure Steve is pleased to find out what it was. I know I am.
All the best, Craig
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 03/07/2009 at 13:59
I remember when I stayed at a Gite many years ago there were several black ones crawling up the kitchen wall.
When I returned to the UK I told the gite owner that I thought he had cockroaches :)
Posted by: Philip Voice | 07/07/2009 at 11:21
I think it is a saddle-backed bush cricket but I'm no insect on French species. What a lovely creature!
Posted by: Jo Mullett | 26/07/2009 at 19:07
I meant I'm no expert - not insect! (too much Normandy cider)
Posted by: Jo Mullett | 26/07/2009 at 19:08