Saturday, September 6, 2008

Camera Critters #22




I'm sure you can all tell, this humble little critter is a cricket. It's that time of year again! I have never found a way to avoid having a few of them invade my home.


I have nothing against crickets. They are relatively harmless critters - although, if they are trapped inside long enough, they will find things to gnaw on that you'd really rather they didn't. I won't kill them. Whenever I find one indoors, I trap it under a cup and carry it outside again. But occasionally one will get into an inaccessible corner or under a large, heavy piece of furniture that I can't move, and will then serenade me all night long. That can be really annoying!

This particular cricket was my first for the season. I was lying in bed late one night, when I looked over toward the bedroom door, and there in the nightlight from the hallway I saw this fat little guy, making his way into my room. I got up, and trapped him under a small plastic bowl. I wasn't ready to run outside with him, so thought I'd leave him until morning. A few minutes later, he had found his way out from under the bowl, and was headed back into my room.

I got up once again, trapped him again, and this time placed a heavy wrought iron doorstop on top of the bowl. Very soon, he was out again. Now I went through the routine a third time, but slid a smooth piece of metal under the bowl with him inside, and once again weighted it down. I moved the whole thing out to the kitchen, near the back door.

In the morning I dressed, and headed into the kitchen. The bowl wa
s empty. How did this little bitty guy manage to wiggle out from under the bowl and the weight? I think he must be Super Cricket! I looked around. Found him! He was headed back into my bedroom! Come on now! This time I threw him outside, where he sat, glaring at me, waiting his chance to get back inside.

For the rest of the season I think I will get dressed if necessary, and put out any of his brothers or cousins who show up in my room.

And, speaking of bugs - does anyone know what this one is? He was
clinging to my screen door for two days.



I don't recall
seeing one like this before.


And yes, he was as white as this. I didn't use a flash.





Camera Critters is a fun meme. If you want to participate or just have a look at all the pictures of critters, large and small, go to Misty's site here.


51 comments:

Indrani said...

It was interesting reading your encounter with the Super cricket.

Anonymous said...

Very nice shot here! Mine is HERE if you have a time! Thanks! Happy CC!

Bear Naked said...

There is nothing worse than having a cricket in the house and not being able to find it.
That sound all night can drive you crazy.
Yet listening to the crickets OUTSIDE my bedroom window puts me to sleep.

Bear((( )))

Busy Mom in Iowa said...

Crickets....I don't have those here. We had them when I was little and living out in the country though. I woke up one morning to one on my pillow when I was about 5 years old!!!

Nice picture!

Sylvia K said...

Always love your posts and this little critter one is no exception. They can be a pain in the whatever, but I always enjoy hearing about them. Have a lovely weekend!

ratmammy said...

ack!! bugs!!! hahah! great photos, though. thanks for visiting!

Maria Verivaki said...

something like a dragonfly, I think

me ann my camera said...

What an amazing cricket story; I wasn't sure who had the most endurance, you or the cricket! :-) I don't think one has ever been in our house but at this time of year there is always an evening singer hanging around our garage door somewhere.

Norm said...

excellent post! cute cricket...

Anonymous said...

What a story about crickets. Nice capture! Thanks for the visit.
Re: I was actually in middle of my write up about the bunny when you comment.

Anonymous said...

There are all sorts of bugs moving around these days. We have some black crickets too. Mostly, they get in the garage.

Thank you for visiting my Canon Pixels blog and for the nice comment you left on my sky watch photo. I do appreciate it a lot.

I also like your post for sky watch. I think it is nice. I like your cricket picture too.

AppleDebbie said...

Bobbie... I loved your cricket story (especially the part about him glaring at you when you put him outside. Lol!) We have lots of crickets up here in the mountains but fortunately none of them have found their way inside of our house yet.

Webradio said...

Hello !

très jolies photos...

Dina said...

That's quite amazing!

Reader Wil said...

Thank you for your lovely story!

Anonymous said...

Gah!!! That second one looks huge, and I am not certain what it could be! I do like crickets though, and like you could not kill one.

kenju said...

I remember a night many years ago, when there was a cricket in my room, under a radiator where I couldn't reach him. He sang his heart out that night, and I didn't sleep a wink! I hate when they get into the house!

I don't know what the white thing is; maybe some sort of mutant dragonfly?

Anonymous said...

I'm a big fan of crickets, too. they are starting to die off in larger number now, and I'm sad to see and hear them go. I'm a cupper too, but they don't usually get into the house (or at least they don't get past my cats.) Can't quite tell what your white bug is - maybe a crane fly?? i'm stumped too.

Cecelia---Sis---Mom said...

Great shot of the cricket. I will not kill them either, my Great-Grandmother said it was bad luck, so I always relocate them. ;-) Not sure about the other bug though.

Cece

storyteller said...

Interesting close-ups and delightful story today! Being a HUGE fan of the children’s book A CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE, I never had anything against crickets until I discovered one EATING my carpet strand by strand. Then I decided crickets didn’t belong INSIDE ever ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

He seems like a romantic little devil doesn't he?

Anonymous said...

what a persistent cricket, good that you won the game :-)
The white T-formed moth looks like a "vedermot", Pterophoridae is the family, but now in English ... hum, and of course I don't know what species you have in the US, check this : white plume moth : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterophoridae

Misty DawnS said...

Hehehe - love the cricket story... I've got a couple in my house right now that start serenading me at night, but I've been unable to locate them... and you are right - it's enough to drive you batty. hehe

As far as that thing on your screen... I have no idea what it is, but am really interested in finding out - it's a very unique and neat looking critter!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Bobbie: What a great story about the magical cricket.
Boy, I would of never guessed it was a moth.

Anonymous said...

How funny! I had a cricket in the kitchen this week and it drove me nuts. Finally, I told my older dog (lab) to "go look" and she found it right away and tried to eat it!! I caught him and let him back outside.

bobbie said...

Hildegade - I've been trying to get to your blog to thank you for the information, but haven't been able to reach you. Hope you come back to see this. If not, I'll try tomorrow.

D... said...

I always think it's good luck when a cricket finds it's way into my house. I didn't realize they gnaw on things tho. Don't know why, I guess I just never really thought about it.

I'm up too!

Cláudia said...

I like crikets, they are the sound of nature. But I prefer hearing them outside seeing the stars in the sky!

i beati said...

not really but good photo sandy

The Cunning Runt said...

Bobbie, I too make every effort to relocate insects rather than killing them (mosquitos excluded.) I find then fascinating, as your tale of "Super Cricket" attests!

magiceye said...

that was a lovely narration about you and the cricket! very enjoyable!

bcmomtoo said...

I saw the first cricket of the season in my basement last week. I hate it when I can't find them, but they just won't shut up.

It does sound like you must have found Super Cricket. I wouldn't be certain he will stay outside. It sounds like he is determined to make it into your bedroom, probably to serenade you. :P

dianasfaria.com said...

I am afraid to ask but what do crickets eat? I do the same as you with the cup, but I always find them in my basement.
That big one looks like a male mosquito which are usually brownish. Are you sure it was white?
sorry, I'm not much help!

Lilli & Nevada said...

I havn't seen a cricket in a long time great shot

Anonymous said...

I don't like the noise a cricket can make inside the house.
I think it is a Ghost Moth.

Anonymous said...

Don't know and don't ever want to have to know what that is!

HeatherK said...

I miss crickets, don't seem to have many encounters with them.

Cath said...

Oh my super cricket sounds scary! That one on your screen looks like an albino dragonfly. very strange!

I have read a bit through your blog - you are a very wise lady and very caring. Thank you for what you share.

Cliff said...

Spray.
Spary like crazy.
I've always been tickled with crickets. I don't think they have any idea which way they're going to jump. I think their back legs must be of various lengths or power or something.
Also, I've found that nothing can rearrange your priorities like a grasshopper landing on your nose.

Cliff said...

Crickets are illegal here.
I don't think they have any idea which way they are going when they decide to jump.
This time of year Nebraska and Iowa gravel roads are fairly black with the varmits.

Unknown said...

One of my kindergartners found a dead cricket in a bin, among small building blocks. It became the topic of fascinating study for a couple of the more observant ones!

Bobbie, I went to Camera Critters site and it wasn't clear to me when to post. Is it only saturdays? I have a photo I'd like to submit.

Love,
Gina

Roan said...

Crickets are nice in small numbers...and outside, not hanging out under your bed when trying to sleep! I have no clue on the white fella. An albino dragonfly?

Anonymous said...

What an adventure with a little cricket! :-) Happy CC! :-)

Cátia said...

very interesting!wonderful pictures!great captures ;-)

Jane Hards Photography said...

So very informative as well as a great pic.

Rayne said...

Great pic. We have a critter keeper set up here as a cricket clinic to help those crickets who sneak into the house and run afoul of the cats.

Anonymous said...

What a funny story! That cricket had some super powers for sure. I saw a cricket the other day in our backyard. I could never kill them either. I saw from one of the comments that it is a plume moth. How lucky that you got to see him/her.

Amila Salgado said...

I am a cricket fan - the sport not the bug, so much!

ratmammy said...

You've won an award for having a great website!

http://blackie-bob.blogspot.com/

love, bob and blackie

ratmammy said...

thanks for responding, Bobbie.. no worries about doing it... i get rather stresed out myself with these but i figured why not? haha! i wont' do these often though... i enjoy your blog and i believe i do have it in my blog reader. :)

Ashrunner said...

I miss listening to crickets at night. Can't remember hearing them around here in central Oregon.

However, your white ctitter is easy to ID. It's a White Plume Moth. Scientific name of Pterophorus pentadactyla.