What is this?

[Jesse]

I was testing out my new camera today and I photographed this little beastie. He was sitting on the tip of a new mint leaf. I thought it was a greenfly at first but not so sure. Does anyone know what he is? He is very small, the same size of a greenfly.

[Jesse]

[dandelion]

No idea, but he looks very handsome!

[redimp]

I have been right through my book and think you have discovered a new species - or it could possibly be some sort of leaf hopper.

[Jesse]

I found him again outside in the herb patch, he's definitely not a greenfly like I first thought. He's got no wings. I've taken some more photos, this time he's sitting on a piece of flat leaf parsley, as you can see he's really teeny.

[Svea]

no idea jesse - but you obviosly love your new camera :D

that first shot is one for the photo competition, me thinks.

[Jesse]

thanks Svea, but isn't the comp an anonymous entry now?

been searching on google and can't find anything looking similar. does anyone know if there's a website where you can submit a photo for identification?

[jennym]

Jesse, it may be some type of grasshopper instar/nymph. If it's not an adult insect, it tends to be more difficult to identify. There are lots of different types, but the body and antennae match some of the criteria for the very young stages of a grasshopper's lifecycle.

[redimp]

Grasshopper Nymphs






Not entirely convinced jennym

[dandelion]

Gardenweb has an insect forum
http://nature.gardenweb.com/forums/insect/
Or try this :o http://forums.insecthobbyist.com/forum.php?catid=3

[Jesse]

thanks all, it does look like a very baby grasshopper of some sort.

[tim]

That must be a 'first'?? Never seen the like of it! Great picture.

[Curryandchips]

Yes excellent picture ...

The grasshopper instar ID looks probable too, having checked many sites for comparisons. Couldn't find an exact match though.

[djbrenton]

If you know a member of the HDRA they could email it to see if they can identify it.

[Jesse]

Thanks :) Is anyone here a member who would like to email it for me, I'm really curious now to know what it is.

[jennym]

Have emailed your photo Jesse, never done this before so don't know how long it takes. :)

[Paulines7]

I have also sent a copy of it to someone who helped me identify the beefly that I put up recently. 

[Jesse]

ooooh thanks both :D Hope we'll get a positive id :)

[stuffed]

I spotted 2 of these in my garden today, they were a little bigger than the one in your pics but definately the same thing.
They can hop pretty well so I'd go with an immature grasshopper or suchlike.

[Paulines7]

I have heard from my contact now regarding this little creature and he quotes:   "The insect is a Speckled Bush Cricket, you can see the speckling on its legs in particular.  This is the first stage nymph, not long emerged from its egg.  It will shed its skin several times as it grows until it reaches maturity in about early August by which time it will be about an inch long (excluding the legs).  They live in bushes and low tree foliage in open areas and are very common throughout southern England."

What a delightful little beastie it is.   ;D ;D

[stuffed]

Cool ;D ;D ;D