Inch-Long Bug
Reader John B from Down Under sent in this photo a while back, capitalizing on the fact that it’s still Summer down there. Neither of us has a clue what it is, other than it being “about an inch long” (about 2.5cm).
I absolutely love the texture in this photo, both of the bug and of the sidewalk. If you’d like a wallpaper of it, here’s a 1920×1440 version that shows more of the sidewalk–perfect for a desktop background.
Excellent photo, John! Thank you!
Slowly getting the site back onto an even keel. It's nice to get back into the old posting rhythm.
tceisele said,
March 10, 2008 @ 7:17 am
It’s certainly a cicada of some sort. Although, being from Australia, it’s really unlikely to be in the same genus as any of the North American species in BugGuide. It would not surprise me at all if it was some weird Australian species that spit venom, and I’d only be slightly surprised if it breathed fire (although they are probably harmless, and maybe even delicious).
tceisele said,
March 10, 2008 @ 7:25 am
Ah, here we go: Australian cicadas are not toxic or anything but they are evidently more annoying than North American cicadas. I knew there would be something.
AJ said,
March 10, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
It’s fascinatingly ugly.
Brian L. said,
March 10, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
it is indeed fascinatingly ugly… but a great picture nonetheless.
nice job, John.
b13 said,
March 10, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
I think we are due for the 17 year brood. The last time there were mounds of shells EVERYWHERE! I love the sounds they make.
WT said,
March 11, 2008 @ 9:34 am
A cicada stabbed me with its proboscis once. It was quite surprising.