1549 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 I opened my car door today and thought I noticed a frog leap into the corner of my garage. I didn't see anything except for 8 long ass antennas coming out from underneath the lawn mower. I am afraid of any bug larger than a house spider so I called for my dad. My dad comes into the garage with some raid expecting a routine killing, however upon lifting the lawn mower, a pack of huge ass bugs came leaping around. These things were the size of frogs and jumped like frogs. After about 45 minutes of uncontrolled sprayings of raid, and after 2 brooms were broken trying to swat the things, 9 lay dead. Here is how I can describe them Including antennas they were as big as 5 inches long. They leapt like a grass hopper or frog. They had big upside down V shaped legs, and there bodies were thick. Neither me or my dad have seen these things before in our lives. The bug guy is coming out to investigate. Anyone think they recognize what these mother f***ers are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxman352000 Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 Could it be a leafhopper? What color was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 22, 2004 Author Share Posted July 22, 2004 Could it be a leafhopper? What color was it? I would say it was a very dark green or a blackish, however the bottom was kind of light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 22, 2004 Author Share Posted July 22, 2004 I checked out some pics of leaf hoppers and the bug I dealt with was bigger, darker, and had huge back legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxman352000 Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 I checked out some pics of leaf hoppers and the bug I dealt with was bigger, darker, and had huge back legs. This is strange my Dad says he has never heard of such a bug I'll try ot find out though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowerCaseRepublican Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 I'd ask FlaSoxxJim. He's pretty up on this sort of stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox247 Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Well I had to do an insect collection, identifying and pinning 40 insects, so I have some experience about bugs. And I've heard about the the whole cicada invasion in the east coast. If it was hopping, it sure sounds like a grasshopper (you'd be surprised how big they can get). It would really help if you had a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 thanks for the help guys, just found out a neighbor had a similar bug in their house, and a friend saw one too. Definately not cicadas, I guess it could be a grass hopper, but it is a different color, and body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GASHWOUND Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 I opened my car door today and thought I noticed a frog leap into the corner of my garage. I didn't see anything except for 8 long ass antennas coming out from underneath the lawn mower. I am afraid of any bug larger than a house spider so I called for my dad. My dad comes into the garage with some raid expecting a routine killing, however upon lifting the lawn mower, a pack of huge ass bugs came leaping around. These things were the size of frogs and jumped like frogs. After about 45 minutes of uncontrolled sprayings of raid, and after 2 brooms were broken trying to swat the things, 9 lay dead. Here is how I can describe them Including antennas they were as big as 5 inches long. They leapt like a grass hopper or frog. They had big upside down V shaped legs, and there bodies were thick. Neither me or my dad have seen these things before in our lives. The bug guy is coming out to investigate. Anyone think they recognize what these mother f***ers are? No clue what bugs they were, but I'm afraid of bugs in closed spaces..not outside though..I walked to my 2nd car today and they were about 3 or so bees living in my rear view mirror on the driver side..lol There was a bee comb in there and s***..Bees must love my Corsica, cause I had a bee live inside the gas tank door..it's sorta cracked open just a bit and it settled in there...f***in bees..now I gotta buy some RAID for bees and s*** :banghead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 I'd ask FlaSoxxJim. He's pretty up on this sort of stuff. OK, I'll have a go... 1549, any chance your INSECT (not 'bug' which is a specific order, the Hemiptera) looked anything like this? Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Your description is pretty good - especially noting the long antennae, bent-shaped legs, dark color (these are usually jet black with lighter spots and joints) and the hard body. The hard body is suggesting you have a kind of beetle (Coleoptera) and not a grasshopper (Orthoptera). The one in the picture is what came to mind from the description and it is (now) in New Jersey. It's an exotic tree-killing (mostly maples and poplars) nuisance species that showed up in Jersey about 2 years ago - after doing some damage in Chicago and elsewhere. It has also done extensive damage in New York. They only get to be about 1.5 inches body length, but with the antennae they can get to the 5-inch total length you have suggested. Let me know if we're in the ballpark here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GASHWOUND Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 OK, I'll have a go... 1549, any chance your INSECT (not 'bug' which is a specific order, the Hemiptera) looked anything like this? Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Your description is pretty good - especially noting the long antennae, bent-shaped legs, dark color (these are usually jet black with lighter spots and joints) and the hard body. The hard body is suggesting you have a kind of beetle (Coleoptera) and not a grasshopper (Orthoptera). The one in the picture is what came to mind from the description and it is (now) in New Jersey. It's an exotic tree-killing (mostly maples and poplars) nuisance species that showed up in Jersey about 2 years ago - after doing some damage in Chicago and elsewhere. It has also done extensive damage in New York. They only get to be about 1.5 inches body length, but with the antennae they can get to the 5-inch total length you have suggested. Let me know if we're in the ballpark here. sheesh, that's good..what are ya, a entomologist or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GASHWOUND Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 sheesh, that's good..what are ya, a entomologist or something? Oh, and how do i stop these damn bees from living on my car..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 sheesh, that's good..what are ya, a entomologist or something? No, professionally I'm marine, not terrestrial. But I try to be as well-rounded in natural haistory as possible, and I tend to follow things like exotic species invasions to the degree I can. Still don't know if this is 1549's mystery Insect though, so my penny-ante 'expertise' may or may not amount to anything. As far as the bees in your ride... that Corsica is just a HONEY of a car I figure. [/nerdy] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 OK, I'll have a go... 1549, any chance your INSECT (not 'bug' which is a specific order, the Hemiptera) looked anything like this? Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) Your description is pretty good - especially noting the long antennae, bent-shaped legs, dark color (these are usually jet black with lighter spots and joints) and the hard body. The hard body is suggesting you have a kind of beetle (Coleoptera) and not a grasshopper (Orthoptera). The one in the picture is what came to mind from the description and it is (now) in New Jersey. It's an exotic tree-killing (mostly maples and poplars) nuisance species that showed up in Jersey about 2 years ago - after doing some damage in Chicago and elsewhere. It has also done extensive damage in New York. They only get to be about 1.5 inches body length, but with the antennae they can get to the 5-inch total length you have suggested. Let me know if we're in the ballpark here. Nope not quite like that. What I have is a lot less exotic. The antenna are very long, but also very thin. A cross between a frog and a cricket is the best description I can give. I have been talking to more friends, and another friend had this problem in their garage for one summer, and then the things never came back. It seems a person has either never seen one, or only seen them when they have infested a part of the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 If the Exterminator can't chase these bastards away, I am moving back to chicago As George's dad said on Seinfeld, "I will not stand for infestation!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 Nope not quite like that. What I have is a lot less exotic. The antenna are very long, but also very thin. A cross between a frog and a cricket is the best description I can give. I have been talking to more friends, and another friend had this problem in their garage for one summer, and then the things never came back. It seems a person has either never seen one, or only seen them when they have infested a part of the house. Hmmm. I am intrigued, but stumped for the moment. When your pest guy tells you what it is be sure to post back here and educate me. Based your assessment of a hard body, I'd still think it's a beetle - unless by 'hard' you mean 'crunchy-under-foot', then It could be anything. The only thing that comes to mind when you say frog + cricket would be some kind of mole cricket. ^^ some kind of mole cricket ^^ Some of them have longer antennae than the one shown, and the antennae are thinner than in our Asian beetle. They are a southeastern lawn pest but there are a few species that get uup the seaboard to NJ, NY. That's it, I can't think of anything else off the top of me head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 If the Exterminator can't chase these bastards away, I am moving back to chicago As George's dad said on Seinfeld, "I will not stand for infestation!" you have finally discovered what a "buckeye" is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 I am not sure if this helps FLA, but in terms of body shape and stuff, the things in my garage sort of look like the bugs in Starship Troopers (the black ones that were like the bug infantry soldiers). Picture the starship trooper bugs, with 2 long antennas and the ability to leap far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 Hmmm. I am intrigued, but stumped for the moment. When your pest guy tells you what it is be sure to post back here and educate me. Based your assessment of a hard body, I'd still think it's a beetle - unless by 'hard' you mean 'crunchy-under-foot', then It could be anything. The only thing that comes to mind when you say frog + cricket would be some kind of mole cricket. ^^ some kind of mole cricket ^^ Some of them have longer antennae than the one shown, and the antennae are thinner than in our Asian beetle. They are a southeastern lawn pest but there are a few species that get uup the seaboard to NJ, NY. That's it, I can't think of anything else off the top of me head. That is goofiest looking cricket i have ever seen Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated. I am not sure when the guy is scheduled to come but I will revive this thread when I find out the type of bug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 you have finally discovered what a "buckeye" is My dad crushed 11 buckeyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 ...I will revive this thread when I find out the type of bug. Not bug... INSECT! INSECT!! INSECT!!! Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. And yes, keep us updated on the infestation. As for the Starship Trooper ref... it's very vivid but didn't help me. I read the Heinlein novel way back when, and ALMOST saw the film until every review I read about it said it sucked ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 My dad crushed 11 buckeyes happiness is crushed buckeye nuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted July 23, 2004 Author Share Posted July 23, 2004 Not bug... INSECT! INSECT!! INSECT!!! Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. And yes, keep us updated on the infestation. As for the Starship Trooper ref... it's very vivid but didn't help me. I read the Heinlein novel way back when, and ALMOST saw the film until every review I read about it said it sucked ass. Meh, I was in junior high and starship troopers had blood, guns, and sex. So I loved it. But looking back it was probably just your average human vs. large bug flick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash Tizzle Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 ^^ some kind of mole cricket ^^ Looks as if someone chopped off the head of a lobster and sewed it onto the body of a grasshopper. This nuclear mutation is truly an abomination of nature. While I don't have extensive knowledge of insects, I searched for pictures which fit 1549's description from Starship Troopers. Praying Mantis: http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1930000/imag...5_mantis300.jpg Unknown Beetle: http://www.sheepmania.com/nat/insect/coleo...1_26b_large.jpg Unknown Insect http://www.sheepmania.com/nat/insect/hemip...a_04_01_26.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted July 23, 2004 Share Posted July 23, 2004 My little brother is a bug fanatic. but he's not here at the moment. He could have known maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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