David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
_____________________________________________________
Grasshoppers and Crickets 24 - Predatory Bush Crickets
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f) OVIPOSITOR
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f) PREDATORY
BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo (f)
PREDATORY BUSH CRICKET Saga pedo
(f)
- A fine
example of the Predatory
Bush Cricket Saga
pedo is shown in its natural
habitat in the Mediterranean region of the South of France. This massive
insect is the largest European orthopteran and it is also known as the Matriarchal or Predatory Katydid
and as 'La Magicienne Dentelée'
(Jagged Magician) in French. The species is apparently quite uncommon and
threatened, although as the camouflage is very effective it could be
easily overlooked despite its size. This imposing predator is said to feed
on smaller grasshoppers and crickets and possibly other insects. Prey
items are captured by stalking and then pinned down with the spiny front
legs so that they cannot escape prior to consumption. The species is
parthenogenetic and males are virtually unknown. The huge ovipositor may
be seen in close-up in the second photograph and it makes a significant
contribution to an overall length of about 12cm. In the ninth photograph
the threat posture is illustrated with the photographer's forefinger in
shot to emphasize the scale of this impressive creature. Such was the
confidence in its defensive equipment that no attempt was made to escape
during the process of being photographed and videoed at very close range.
- David’s short film of this
Predatory Bush
Cricket may be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mydT0c5gy80&list=PL4AirIEc0Nocv0Tjw-fnE-ZZnVrGmXd39&index=25&t=0s.
REFERENCE: http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/S/Saga_pedo/
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