UFI -Unidentified Flying Insect

fronkdt · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 10:33 AM

Hi,
I don't know if anyone can help me with this.
This morning, I noticed a large insect hanging upside down in the bathroom.
At first I thought it was a spider, then realised it probably wasn't. My second thought was that it could be a grasshopper, but when it was picked up to be removed, it suddenly flew away - which caught me and my partner by surprise!

It was brown, about an inch and half long and had a quite thick body and legs - sorry I can't give anymore information, but when I flew at me, I ran away pretty quickly

I have tried looking on the internet for similar insects, but have seen nothing remotely similar. I also know I wouldn't like to meet it again, and apart from spiders, I am not normally scared by insects.
Thanks

Burko · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 10:42 AM

Cranefly perhaps.

seb ellis · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 10:46 AM

well that leaves us 1 out of 2600000000 insects to choose from lol.
did it make a low buzzing sound when it came at you .
did it look like any other kind of insect you know of .
there are a hell of a lot of wood wasp things about this year , ive counted 23 i have never seen before .
next time dont grab it do what i do take a picture first ...
good luck

fronkdt · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 10:47 AM

No, it definitely wasn't (unless there is a type that doesn't look like the normal ones).
The body was at least twice the thickness of a crane fly's, and its legs were no where near as long.

Thanks for your suggestion though!

fronkdt · #5 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 10:52 AM

Seb,
I have just googled that, and I think it is definitely on the right track, thank you!

Had I known it was going to fly, and had it not been 6am, I might have considered taking a photo.
And yes I know, trying to work out what it was is a very long shot, but thought it was worth a try!
And I didn't hear a buzzing sound - I was screaming too loudly

I thought it was a spider at first (had a nasty encounter with a large one last night) and then thought it looked more like a grasshopper from the way it was sitting (albeit upside down).
Thanks

fronkdt · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 11:08 AM

Seb,
I have just googled that, and I think it is definitely on the right track, thank you!

Had I known it was going to fly, and had it not been 6am, I might have considered taking a photo.
And yes I know, trying to work out what it was is a very long shot, but thought it was worth a try!
And I didn't hear a buzzing sound - I was screaming too loudly

I thought it was a spider at first (had a nasty encounter with a large one last night) and then thought it looked more like a grasshopper from the way it was sitting (albeit upside down).
Thanks

fronkdt · #7 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 11:09 AM

Actually, my other half disagree's with the Wood Wasp theory - he say's definitely more cricket like.
Hmmmm

JRsbugs · #8 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fronkdt

Actually, my other half disagree's with the Wood Wasp theory - he say's definitely more cricket like.
Hmmmm

Did you notice what colour the legs were?

Wasps often have orange legs and usually with a black body (you said yours was brown), sometimes with colour on it too.

Crickets can be brown, they have wings too.

Take a look at some Orthoptera here.

Janet