What in the name of sweet baby Jesus is this hideous insect?

[minimoog]

Just back from Cyprus and these critters would emerge at night and buzz us as we sat on the veranda. I found one burrowing into the lawn one morning too. This one is about 2.5" long but some were another inch again. Not pleasant. Can't find a mention of anything similar, but my best guess is a cicada of some sort, though the pics I've seen don't show ones with tail spikes like these. Any idea?

[andthensome]

[TheEnd]

It's a cricket of some sort

[TheEnd]

A mole cricket infact.

Best kill it to be safe.

[Elskeggso]

That looks awesome, catch a few and start to form an army of them

[Tomlev40]

Oh no! Not another "I've found some weird insect in my garden" thread!
We need a animal forum. Now.

Sorry if I have offended anyone. I'm just bored with these threads. Sorry

Edited by Tomlev40 on Wednesday 3rd June 21:29

[Big Al.]

Tomlev40 said:

I'm just bored with these threads. Sorry

So what are you doing reading it?

[Fort Jefferson]

TheEnd said:

Best kill it to be safe.

Are you American by any chance?

[ukwill]

Big Al. said:

Tomlev40 said:

I'm just bored with these threads. Sorry

So what are you doing reading it?

or posting in it.

[DAVEVO9]

Tomlev40 said:

I'm just bored with these threads. Sorry

Like these you mean?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Big Al.]

TheEnd said:

A mole cricket infact.

Best kill it to be safe.

It just looks ugly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_cricket

[Nero601]

TheEnd said:

A mole cricket infact.

Best kill it to be safe.

kill it why ??

[Col 666]

How about this handsome little chap? Any ideas? I came across him while working in Louisiana 2 years ago.



Col.

[_Deano]

Nero601 said:

TheEnd said:

A mole cricket infact.

Best kill it to be safe.

kill it why ??

WMD's?

[mybrainhurts]

Col 666 said:

How about this handsome little chap? Any ideas? I came across him while working in Louisiana 2 years ago.



Col.

That's Michael Jackson, isn't it...?

[10 Pence Short]

If it isn't, he's probably shagged it a few times.

[becksW]

mybrainhurts said:

Col 666 said:

How about this handsome little chap? Any ideas? I came across him while working in Louisiana 2 years ago.



Col.

That's Michael Jackson, isn't it...?

Wow. That is an amazing looking creature. No idea what it is but I'd love to see one for real.

[minimoog]

Big Al. said:

TheEnd said:

A mole cricket infact.

Best kill it to be safe.

It just looks ugly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_cricket

That's the chappy. I feel happier about him knowing he's just a bigger uglier version of the cute little bugs we used to, er, feed to the pet lizards my mate used to keep.

Still bloody alarming when they fly at your head though. Must be revenge for their little mates.

Edited by minimoog on Wednesday 3rd June 22:37

[_Deano]

I am always amazed at the wonderful colours that are on an insect.

[SimonV8ster]

Its called lunch. Catch a few and then fry them. Sprinkle with brown sugar