Creepy Crawlies on my door
June 29, 2010 1:58 PM Subscribe
What is this weird bug I saw on my door last night?
Last night I was in my kitchen at about 11:30 and heard something hit the screen of my door. That "thing" was this weird bug. It was about 2 1/2 inches long, probably quarter of an inch around and had antennas that curled around that were about 3-4 inches long. It was grey or a really dull green in color with a whitish stomach, 6 legs. At first I thought it was a moth but it didn't have wings like a moth it had wings like a grasshopper. It didn't seem to make any sound at all. This was in central MA around our front door where we have spot lights on all night so I assume that's what attracted it. Here is a couple more pictures. The last two might not be the same bug, but it looked the same size and there was no way I was going outside to take pictures of its back, sorry. Any clue what this thing could be? Thanks.
Last night I was in my kitchen at about 11:30 and heard something hit the screen of my door. That "thing" was this weird bug. It was about 2 1/2 inches long, probably quarter of an inch around and had antennas that curled around that were about 3-4 inches long. It was grey or a really dull green in color with a whitish stomach, 6 legs. At first I thought it was a moth but it didn't have wings like a moth it had wings like a grasshopper. It didn't seem to make any sound at all. This was in central MA around our front door where we have spot lights on all night so I assume that's what attracted it. Here is a couple more pictures. The last two might not be the same bug, but it looked the same size and there was no way I was going outside to take pictures of its back, sorry. Any clue what this thing could be? Thanks.
I can't tell from the photos, were the wings mostly clear? Because it could be a cicada.
posted by quin at 2:07 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by quin at 2:07 PM on June 29, 2010
Based just on what I can see, I'd cast my vote for some kind of locust.
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:09 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:09 PM on June 29, 2010
On second thought, a locust wouldn't have such long antennae. I'm going to go with everyone else that's guessing "cicada." Another possibility would be a leaf-footed bug.
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:12 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by infinitywaltz at 2:12 PM on June 29, 2010
Response by poster: It was much bigger than a cicada and had very distinctive and long antenna. It was about the size of a humming-bird if that can be on any reference. I will try to get better pictures if it comes back tonight.
posted by lilkeith07 at 2:26 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by lilkeith07 at 2:26 PM on June 29, 2010
Maybe a giant water bug? One of the few bugs I can think of that are that large but not moths, and are attracted to bright lights. Some varieties have really long front legs that curve over their head, which I bet could be mistaken for antennae in the dark. I've only seen one once in my life, thankfully, so I could be wrong.
posted by castlebravo at 2:30 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by castlebravo at 2:30 PM on June 29, 2010
Sorry, just noticed that particular type aren't in the US. There are other hawkmoths that look similar, though, so maybe one of those.
posted by miratime at 2:37 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by miratime at 2:37 PM on June 29, 2010
Best answer: With antennae that long I'd bet on it being a longhorn beetle
posted by sanka at 4:32 PM on June 29, 2010
posted by sanka at 4:32 PM on June 29, 2010
Response by poster: sanka: "With antennae that long I'd bet on it being a longhorn beetle"
Yeah it looks like a longhorn beetle. I will have to keep an eye out for it again. We have had issues with the asian longhorn beetle here in Central MA. I'll have to let the inspectors know so they can come and check out our property. Thanks!
posted by lilkeith07 at 5:02 PM on June 29, 2010
Yeah it looks like a longhorn beetle. I will have to keep an eye out for it again. We have had issues with the asian longhorn beetle here in Central MA. I'll have to let the inspectors know so they can come and check out our property. Thanks!
posted by lilkeith07 at 5:02 PM on June 29, 2010
Glad you got your ID. If you ever need this kind of help after you've already used your AskMe for the week, don't forget What's That Bug.
posted by somanyamys at 6:57 AM on June 30, 2010
posted by somanyamys at 6:57 AM on June 30, 2010
I think it's a Junebug! Compare the roundness of your bug to the relative flatness of the longhorn beetles.
posted by zepheria at 10:27 AM on June 30, 2010
posted by zepheria at 10:27 AM on June 30, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 2:03 PM on June 29, 2010