A huge thank you to my neighbour John who, very kindly, let me photograph this magnificent Locust that he discovered in the grill of his campervan, parked just a few doors up the road. John hasn't recently returned from a trip abroad so the origins of this insect can only be speculated upon. It's possibly an escape from the pet trade, or just possibly a migrant. Either way it's an interesting record and not one I was expecting when I woke up this morning! Kev and I have done a little preliminary research and think it could possibly be an Egyptian Locust, but we'll await confirmation or otherwise from the Orthoptera experts. Egyptian Locust is a common eastern European species. Great to see Kev, as always, and thank you again to John!
Possible identification pointers to this being an Egyptian Locust include a vertically-striped eye, a peg between the front legs and a protonum, which has three furrows. The protonum on Egyptian should be keeled, which I think this one is. Any comments on the identification would be hugely welcomed. That's a medium-sized Banana behind it. It's a whopping great insect.
Vertical dark lines on eyes and 'wrinkled' pronotum = Egyptian Grasshopper I think. I recall seeing an Exmouth specimen of this species years ago - likely to flow, blow or drift north in the same conditions that bring Vagrant Emperors here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave - would be fascinating to know for sure how it got here. All the best. Matt
DeleteLovely thing to see, Matt. Your ID looks spot on but sure experts will know if any possible confusion spp. Many years ago I found one at B&Q in Exeter, hiding among the terracotta plant pots - presumably imported from somewhere warmer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim - that's interesting. Guess there must be a number of ways a locust can hitch a ride! It was very docile and inactive, so definitely missing the warmer weather. All the best. Matt
DeleteWhat a beast! I wonder if it came with that recent warm air-flow which the lepidopterists were hoping might bring some rare moths? Whatever, a fabulous creature.
ReplyDeleteHi Gav - it was a beast! I guess anything is possible but they're clearly pretty good at hiding amongst imported goods. Would love to know its route here. All the best. Matt
ReplyDeleteExcellent find. I've seen a few of these on my travels but not in the UK.
ReplyDeleteWow. If you have taken it on as a pet b then you might see some Stomorhina lunata emerge from it.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew - had to google that - a fly by the looks of it! Kev still has it in a tank, or at least he still did have, two or three days ago. Not sure how long they live. Great to hear from you. Hope you're keeping well. All the best. Matt.
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