WHAT KIND OF BUG IS THIS????

Question

I used to live in my Grandparents' basement, and one night, after many years, I saw one of these. I killed the first one, one got away, and two were trapped on sticky mice traps that I put all over the basement because my Grandfather didn't believe me.

I thought it was a cricket or grasshopper at first but the thing hopped TOWARD me when I tried to shoo it away and I could tell it was NOT either of those things.

It's back legs are HUGE and it can jump FAR! It does have a spiny like thing on it's tail end, kind of like a stinger but I don't know if that's what it is.

It creeped me out BIG time and I want to know what it is, one of my friends suggested that I post it here to see if anyone could tell me. I lived in CT, so the NE, at the time if that helps.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/ShieAyla/0227062025.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/ShieAyla/0227062026.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/ShieAyla/0227062030.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c327/ShieAyla/0227062032.jpg

Answer 1

IT'S A SCARY ONE

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Answer 2

Learn to ID them, here -

http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740

http://greennature.com/article1899.html

http://www.einsteins-emporium.com/life/a...

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/

http://www.insectimages.org/

Answer 3

cicaida. (sih-cay-duh)  they are aloo over my back yard. they will leave a shell behind and maybe die. they make weird noises

Answer 4

definately a Camel back Cricket

Answer 5

spider crickets i hate them! they are so nasty and mean!!!

Answer 6

It is most definitely a cave or camel cricket, both of which are names for the same type of critter. We've only ever had one of those in my house, but it scared the living daylights out of my mother and sister; they are, however, entirely harmless to humans.

The spines grow to help make it an unpalatable meal for any would-be predator, and the stinger-like spine is most likely an ovipositor used for laying eggs - meaning that those were females. They may also be something related to the crickets' long antennae - functionally similar to a cat's whiskers, they are probably quite sensitive to touch, a useful ability in a dark environment.

So, aside from maybe nibbling on the odd random item down in your basement, they're neither useful nor harmful, creepy appearance notwithstanding.

Answer 7

It's weird, but i have to agree with the othe guy that said it looks like an exotic grasshopper

Answer 8

Camel back Cricket

http://www.sensilla.com/eek/?p=62

They are common on the East Coast of the USA

Answer 9

It’s a weird type of cricket

Answer 10

An exotic type of grasshopper, i've seen them before, but I dont know the name. They don't hurt you.

Answer 11

I dont know what kind of cricket it is, but i do know that they are everywhere and gross.  wait til the wintertime.  thats when they flock indoors.  oh yea, try leaving their dead body on the ground and the other ones will come and eat it.  I grew up with them in my parents house in MD.

Answer 12

looks like some sort of cricket to me.

Answer 13

June bug

Answer 14

i agree with camila. its a cicaida i have those alot to its not some kind of weird cricket. and yea it sheds and c**p theyre annoying. the stinger is what makes the sound.

..................... some type of exotic cricket.............. pshhh

Answer 15

Cave Cricket?

Answer 16

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME EXACTLY

ITS A CROSS BREED BETWEEN A GRASSHOPPER AND A CRICKET

THE NAME HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH GRANDFATHER