this insect has shovels like a mole ?

Lemars · #1 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 10:13 PM

I DO hope there's someone around who could tell me what this is.

It's just strolled into the conservatory - in France - at the end of a very long hot day and just minutes after I plugged in the moth-trap (though I think that may be unrelated). It's about 6cm; a fast-mover and can jump pretty well too.

It is presently in my spider removal and bee-retrieval device and I DO hope there's someone there who could tell me what on earth it is. In 12 years here, I've never set eyes on one of these - and not seen one in any book either !!!

Thank you for any suggestions (even the daft ones)

C

Hedera · #2 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 10:16 PM

I think this is a Mole Cricket. I remember these from camping in France.

Farplace · #3 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 10:17 PM

Whatever it is... its a pretty cool beastie. i look forward to an ID.

Lemars · #4 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 10:23 PM

Well, Hedera, no suggestion could be better than that. Thank you - I'm just going to hop off and check out your idea.

What astounds me is that I've not come across one - not even a picture - before. Makes perfect sense now though

Thank you for an incredibly quick reply

C

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 10:34 PM

It's a mole cricket, deffo. They can run pretty quickly too.

Lemars · #6 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 10:49 PM

Thanks Woodman......

....as crickets go then, I'm guessing they're not seen too often ?

Although I was immediately able to confirm Hederas suggestion and I could see that they're resident in most countries (Wikipedia, I'm afraid), I'm guessing they're pretty shy - not to have seen one previously in 12 years of keeping-my-eyes-open (and not seeing one in any books ) suggests to me that they're not often wandering around peoples homes in the dead of night!

An amazing creature. I thought I'd seen all there was to offer hereabouts.

C

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 27-06-2011, 06:04 AM

I've only ever seen two, the last in Spain two years ago running across a track near a stream. It was no mean feat to catch up with it to see it at close quarters.

On release I was hoping to see it burrow but it disappeared into thick vegetation.

I've no idea how common they are but due to their lifestyle, they must only rarely be seen and I think you have been fortunate to see this unusual and remarkable insect. Very interesting.

asheleaf · #8 (**permalink**) 27-06-2011, 11:45 AM

these are red data sps.
www.biodiversitynw.org.uk/download/?id=490
not sure who the orthoptera recorder is?

Ashe

The Woodman · #9 (**permalink**) 27-06-2011, 12:21 PM

I wonder what protective status they have en France?

Lemars · #10 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 08:03 AM

I just tried to find the answer to that one, Woodman, and I think that only those below are protected in France. That would tie in with what I've read about mole crickets being considered a pest in Europe, but protected in the UK (not seen since 1988 - is that right?)

[R] Orthoptères :
Le Criquet rhodanien Prionotropis rhodanica Uvarov, 1922
Le Criquet hérisson Prionotropis hystrix ssp azami Uvarov, 1923
La Magicienne dentelée Saga pedo Pallas, 1771

All these are found in Southern France - the first two (criquet hérisson and rhodanien) are found only on a plain measuring a few square miles (plaine de la Crau).

C