[ID] Water Cricket??

[Wild-Woman]

Nice spot. I'm always mucking about in ditched ponds etc, but haven't come across one as yet.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Nice spot. I'm always mucking about in ditched ponds etc, but haven't come across one as yet.

They prefer slow flowing water, particulary in wooded areas I read. I have a reliable site 10mins from my home if you fancy seeing one

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

They prefer slow flowing water, particulary in wooded areas I read. I have a reliable site 10mins from my home if you fancy seeing one

Oh yes please! But when I'm feeling a bit better. Off work at mo.

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Nice spot. I'm always mucking about in ditched ponds etc, but haven't come across one as yet.

Thanks Wild-Women, i hope one turns up for you one day

This has turned out to be only the second time i have found this species. Both of which has been from under stones on the banks of a wooded river, though i was sure the first was a lot larger to this one??

I also found a first for me under the same stone, a slug called Boettgerilla pallens, The Worm Slug.

It turns out the winged form of V.caprai is not that to common. Here is some extra info on the species if anyone is interested.

http://www.eje.cz/pdfarticles/1487/e...51_Ditrich.pdf

[Stomatopod]

Interesting paper Fauna, Thanks for posting. I had always wondered If there was a winged form and why I had never seen them. Ive been getting quite interested in the migration patterns of aquatic bugs recently.

Why do the backswimmers, saucer bugs and waterboatmen ive introduced to my pond never seem to stick around for long, while the Pond skaters and water crickets seem to love it?

The aquatic bugs seem much more prone to "flying the nest" than the skaters and crickets. On paper the pond is ideal, with plenty of detrus and invert prey, 1/3 open water and good vegetation cover- but its not good enough for them apparently...

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Stomatopod

Why do the backswimmers, saucer bugs and waterboatmen ive introduced to my pond never seem to stick around for long, while the Pond skaters and water crickets seem to love it?

The aquatic bugs seem much more prone to "flying the nest" than the skaters and crickets.

....I visited a friend's pond the other day, as you do, and she's got 3 Backswimmers in a smaller pond than mine and less surrounding foliage cover. Also she has less plants. I've got none so far - My wildlife pond was created this June.

I have a licence for extracting the p!ss, and so I exclusively use river water and accidentally imported a fine Water Beetle a few weeks ago I'm very glad to say. He's very shy but still around. If I find he goes off on night calls I'll name him Joe after Joe Cocker and his excellent song "Night Calls".