Wildlife on Fuerteventura

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Any idea what this is? There's been lots of them at windows in the evening for the past week. Some sort of lace wing perhaps?

[Gone Fishing]

Hi Tamara 

I'm no entomologist, but I think it's a short tailed variety of parasitic ichneumon wasp - possibly a red ichneumon wasp.

They don't sting, as such, because they don't produce venom and the female's ovipositor is used to inject eggs into it's 'host' which the larvae then feed on.
They mostly parasitise the larvae of other insects, many of which would be feasting on your garden plants, so they are probably to be looked on as friend rather than foe.

[Johnrgby]

Hi Tamara 

I'm no entomologist, but I think it's a short tailed variety of parasitic ichneumon wasp - possibly a red ichneumon wasp.

They don't sting, as such, because they don't produce venom and the female's ovipositor is used to inject eggs into it's 'host' which the larvae then feed on.
They mostly parasitise the larvae of other insects, many of which would be feasting on your garden plants, so they are probably to be looked on as friend rather than foe.

Following that description GF are you sure you aren't an entomologist  

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Hi Tamara 

I'm no entomologist, but I think it's a short tailed variety of parasitic ichneumon wasp - possibly a red ichneumon wasp.

They don't sting, as such, because they don't produce venom and the female's ovipositor is used to inject eggs into it's 'host' which the larvae then feed on.
They mostly parasitise the larvae of other insects, many of which would be feasting on your garden plants, so they are probably to be looked on as friend rather than foe.

Following that description GF are you sure you aren't an entomologist  

Plus 1

Thanks GF!

and now for the next one …...

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

 

Possibly a praying mantis? It was about 2 inches long.

[Gone Fishing]

Certainly a mantis of some kind - possibly a Devil's flower mantis?

Your garden is bug central Tamara 

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Today's starter for 10:

About the size of my thumbnail:

[Gone Fishing]

Possibly a shield bug Tamara.

Judging from your photo it's the right shape and flattened profile.

I'm not sure if these are different to 'stink' bugs or the same thing, but with a more disparaging description

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

I definitely have the green stinkbugs as well having looked at the name online - looks like my parasitic wasps may come in handy! Thanks GF.

Had a cricket in the garden this afternoon that kept my dog entertained for hours!

[Gone Fishing]

Hi Tamara
I'm wondering if your cricket might be a grasshopper or even a locust?

Most crickets have long antennae - often as long as their overall body length and yours appears to have relatively short antennae = around 1/4 of the body length.

Another tell-tale sign for a grasshopper / locust would be if it has serrated edges to it's large hind legs.

Crickets make their 'churring' sound with their wings, whereas grasshoppers and locusts rub their hind legs together to make theirs. 

Perhaps your dog could confirm?