Turkish Cricket?

[sue-o]

I found this guy at Ephesus Turkey. Is it a cricket or grasshopper? It's the prettiest one I've ever seen. The photo (photographer) does it no justice.
Sue

[Colin Key]

This is a cricket Sue, but I cannot say for certain which species (there are so many around the "Med"). I often see truly vast numbers (millions) of these insects which are a valuable source of food for a wide range of birds from Great Bustards down (size-wise) to Stone Curlew, shrikes and anything which likes a "crunchy" meal.

Colin

[PeterD]

This is a cricket Sue, but I cannot say for certain which species (there are so many around the "Med"). I often see truly vast numbers (millions) of these insects which are a valuable source of food for a wide range of birds from Great Bustards down (size-wise) to Stone Curlew, shrikes and anything which likes a "crunchy" meal.

Colin

Colin,

What distinguishes a cricket from a grasshopper? Sorry if its a stupid question.

PeterD

[Colin Key]

Not a stupid question at all Peter, but I cannot (do not have time!!) give a complete answer. There are over 900 species of cricket, and they are very closely related to grasshoppers.

For a start, look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_(insect))

Colin

[PeterD]

Thanks for the link Colin. A very interesting read.

PeterD