Insect Journal
February, 2001

spidey Insect Quiz


Although it's winter, you find a large (3/4 inch long), slow-moving, brown, LIVE insect with white markings inside your home. Because of its large hind legs, you initially think it is some kind of grasshopper. Curious, you get closer to it and give it a poke with your finger, but it doesn't jump like a grasshopper would. Upon closer inspection, you also notice that each leg has a leaf-like enlargement on it. The head is small and pointy and the thorax (the section between the head and the wings) is shaped like a triangular or 5-sided shield.


  1. What kind of insect is this?
  2. Where did it come from and why is it in my house?!
  3. Is it harmful?
  4. What can I do to get rid of it?



Answer

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