This huge insect was on the back of my house tonight!! What is it? If you can tell me what it is, please tell me if it bites, whether or not it's poisonous...basically, will it hurt me??? It looks like a gigantic ant, but I'm not sure if it is or not! Here's the link to the picture.
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/4678/imag0015xs1.jpg
2006-07-16 17:39:33 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Thanks, Gil! It most definitely is a potato bug. Thanks for that great website. I'm always seeing strange bugs outside my house, and the website you referred to will definitely be added to my favorites!
2006-07-16 18:07:06 · update #1
It is a potatoe bug, or also what is commonly known as a Jerusalem cricket. They may be able to give you a littel bite, but they have no venom and have no real formal defence. They are closely related to grasshoppers, and they are just as passive and gentle. They can sometimes dig themselves under the soil, they will fed on grass roots, other insects , dead plant materials, and of course potatoes. The name potatoe bug is very misleading and not very accepted in the insect community. This name suggests that it is a true bug, in the order Hemiptera, instead of Orthoptera where it belongs. But, the name Jerusalem would also suggest that is is only found there.......so its a lose lose.....
I hope this answers your question
I attahced some great photos and you can use these websites, they are very informative and easy to use!
2006-07-17 02:43:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It looks like a really big termite to me. Not likely to be poisonous, but might bite. If you mess with it.
2006-07-17 00:43:27 · answer #2 · answered by surlygurl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
catch it in a jar and bring it to a pest control place, it looks like a termite to me, if it is a termite you better find out, you house might be their home too
2006-07-17 00:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
definately looks like a huge termite. I'd call the exterminator if I were you cause where there is one like that there are many many more.
2006-07-17 00:45:20 · answer #4 · answered by dzlgrrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a potato bug AKA Jerusalem bug. they are not poisonous but will bite you (painfully) if you try to handle them.
2006-07-17 00:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by Gil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it looks like a termite or giant red ant not too sure though...
2006-07-17 00:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by christine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jerusalem cricket...not harmful. I handle these guys all the time but have not been bitten yet.
2006-07-18 00:41:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a termite and yes it will bite if you mess with it enogh and indeed the bites are painfull
2006-07-17 01:51:49 · answer #8 · answered by giantdwarfbat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put it in a jar then put some lighter fluid in it and set it on fire LOL
2006-07-17 00:55:57 · answer #9 · answered by Paul G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a cigarette ant...squish it !!!
2006-07-17 00:43:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋