Weekly Invertebrate Quiz: Hop To It

OK, last week's quiz wasn't really a quiz although Sahalie once again provided a credible identification of yellow sac spider. I wish she hadn't, because I found out these very common spiders are considered "clinically significant" due to the fact that their cytotoxic venom can result in bites that may occasionally lead to mild necrosis. Fortunately, such reactions are relatively rare and the spider is not a particularly aggressive or efficient biter (more here).

Here are this week's photos. All of them were taken in either Tennessee or North Carolina in early October.

A	B

C	D

Today's featured group of insects has plagued mankind since the time of the Pharoahs, and has undoubtably led to  a lot more human suffering than spiders. Still, I've always though they were kind of cute.

Here's the quiz:

1. Identify the order of all four: 1 point
2. Identiy the genus of A, C, and D: 1 point each
3. Identify the genus and species of B: 6 points
4. Identify what the pair in B are doing: 0 points, you pervert

The reason question 3 is worth so much is that I don't know the answer myself. I have suspicions, but I just can't find a match in any of my resources.

For more glimpses of the Animal Kingdom, visit the Friday Ark.

Comments

[lizzy]

does anybody ever email you?

[lizzy]

when will you answer me?

[lizzy]

what is a fact about the katydid?

[lizzy]

hi

[Rikki]

Is this quiz still open?

1. All four are orthopterans
2. I don't know about genus, how about family?
A) acrididae (genus melanoplus?)
B) acrididae
C) katydid, tettigoniidae
D) cone-head grasshopper, conocephalinae
3. I believe these are military grasshoppers or army grasshoppers, named for their camouflage-like coloration, but Google is failing me
4. They are not celebrating national celibacy month

[sahalie]

i just want to say thanks for the bug posts (and for the link)

sac spiders are the nasties
they creep me out

these hopper bugs? hmmm, good eating! sauteed with cajun spices...
i joke

okay i'll try
A) stunty-winged painted hopper (that's my lazy guess)
B) possibly a red-wing? or a mottled sand? those stripes are very distinctive
C) broad-winged katydid, i think, or a female true katydid
D) shield-backed katydid