Saturday, March 19, 2011

Visitor from the North?

This handsome creature was seen in Ocean Grove today (sitting beside a doormat).
I've tried to identify it, but what it looks most like is the Spur-Throated Locust (Austracris guttulosa), a tropical species which only makes it to the northern-most parts of Victoria in wet summers. We have had a wet summer, but Ocean Grove is about 300km south of where the spur-throated locust has been identified, so maybe this insect is something completely different. Anyone know?
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3 comments:

  1. DeeMarch 20, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Have a look at this link Vireya, I think it looks like it, especially that triangle under the eye. You can click on the pictures.
    http://gvcocks.homeip.net/Orthoptera/Catantopinae/austracris_guttulosa.htm

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  2. DeeMarch 20, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Remember with Cyclone Yasi, we had strong winds which could have blown it down further than usual.

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  3. VireyaMarch 20, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    I've sent a question and picture to the Museum Victoria Discovery Centre, in the hope that an entomologist can confirm (or refute) our suspicions. I'll let you know when/if I get a response.

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