Subject: What kind of insect is this?
Geographic location of the bug: Central Iowa, near a pond, on ground near grass and Waters edge.
Date: 09/22/2017
Time: 06:12 PM EDT
Hi!
During a fieldtrip with my daughter’s 5th grade class, we found this bug. It stumped the conservationist, to say the least. None of us have ever seen one. Can you help us identify it!
It’s really end looks like a cricket, but it looked to be developing large wings, it has a head like an ant, and it’s front legs had what appeared to be tiny claws.
How you want your letter signed: 5th Grade class, Jordan Creek Elementary School, West Des Moines, IA
Dear 5th Grade class, Jordan Creek Elementary School,
You were on the right track when you observed it “looks like a cricket” because this is a Mole Cricket, a subterranean dweller that uses its front legs to quickly burrow in the dirt. Though they live underground, Mole Crickets are capable of flying. We get reports of Mole Crickets from many places around the world, including Australia, Iraq and South Africa as well as much of North America.
