Multi-coloured grasshopper-like bugs found in Japan

[Richard]

When Osaka resident Kana Yamaguchi’s neighbors cut the grass in a nearby field, a number of fleeing insects sought refuge in her flower bed. Among them was an odd pair of grasshopper-like bugs — one pink, one white. Osaka Museum of Natural History entomologist Itaru Kanazawa identifies them as the larvae of Euconocephalus thunbergi (”kubikirigisu” in Japanese), a close relative of the katydid. While he says it is normal for these insects to change between green and brown to match their surroundings, pink and white are considered abnormal. Speculation is that the pink is an extreme variation of the brown coloration, and the white specimen is believed to be an albino, though nobody will know for sure until it becomes an adult. Regardless, says Kanazawa, “It is quite rare to find three different colors at the same time.”

[Source: Asahi]

[Sily]

I love the colors of the crickets in that article.  I would be so happy if I could find a pink or lime green cricket in my yard.  I'd say that lady has some magical goings-on happening in her yard. 

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Taking pictures of bugs is one of my hobbies.  I just love to get up in their faces and then examine them with macro shots. 

Speaking of colors, here's an almost all orange moth I snapped a pic of this spring:



Also, pretty sure this is a wasp?  I can see the stinger, but I love the pink and green shinning on the wings:


But what is really remarkable is what I saw in August of this year.  Two bugs that I saw that just about defy explanation........ I wish I had my camera.  They were of a coloring and size that I have not seen in my many years here on earth.  Also, I saw an albino moth this summer.  Pure white. 

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Well anyway...... love the article on the crickets.  Neato.  :nod:

[Polly]

Great shots, Sily.  I have been studying insects for most of my life.  One of the awesome insects we have here are Cicada Killers.  The females burrow long tunnels in the sandy soil, lay an egg while backed into the tunnel backwards and deposit a cicada for the hatched larva to eat.  The mound of soil at the entrance can be surprisingly large.  They patrol their territories all summer and eat lots of nectar.  They love our garden.

http://insects.tamu.edu/images/insects/c...mg331.html

[Sily]

Neat Polly.  Do you have any pics of insects from your garden you can post?  I'd love to see some.

The link you posted... the design in black is cool, on the insect's back.

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Sorry to go back to the cell phone issue I kinda went off on the other day, but ..... I think it would be so great if everyone turned off their cell phones, laid down in the grass and looked for bugs.  :D


One more pic, cuz I love me some bugs.... It was a dewy morning when I took this one - I love the dew/wetness on the wings:

[Polly]

Sily, I may be able to post a pic of my favorite spider tomorrow.  I'll have to scan it on the other PC's printer in the house and send it in an email to my PC.  This spider builds a zipper in its web.  I have photos I took of insects and arachnids but they are not digital so give me some time and I will see what I can do.  :-)

[DreamTime]

Eww...bugs are gross! You two would be wonderful with my one daughter. She has been 'into' bugs since she was a little girl. She, also, has some awesome pictures of bugs.  Again, I say EWWW....

[Sily]

Sily, I may be able to post a pic of my favorite spider tomorrow....

I'd love to see it, if you can get to it.  :nod:



I want to post a link to a lady that has taken some great pictures, but I'm not on my computer now, where I have the link bookmarked.  Hopefully I can get to my computer tonight.   I just can't put into words how good her subjects and pictures are.

[William]

  Luv your photos sily, but have to agree with DT, Ewwwwwwww  I tried to take a photo up close of a spider and it jumped at me and chased me through the yard I tripped and fell in an ant bed and started to roll around screaming then a big lizzard with wings carried me off................................. to be contined.........  ;)

[Polly]

That will teach ya, William!  :-)

DT, I will have to come up with a very special bug, just for you!  :-)

[Mercy Now]

OooooWeeee!! DT!!!  Have you ever seen a tobacco worm? Well technically it's not a worm but a larvae I believe.As a child (8) my mother would collect a quarter  from  older kids for each head she bit off a tobacco worm.In the '30's that was a nice bit of money for a kid.

Oh and check out a hawkmoth if you get a chance! They're pretty common as their larvae is known as the  tomato worm.