Here's the thread where we try to identify MallRat's insect invaders.

[MallRat]

I'll try to get a photo later today, but I am stumped. I've looked all over the internet, and no insect identification sites seem to have any information... very little info about Massachusetts insects, in particular.

Here's the description:

I've found 4 or 5 of these long-legged insects on the walls and ceiling of my house over the past couple of days. A couple of them appeared to have larvae nearby when I caught them (were they tending to them, or were they EATING them?).

The insects have a thin, elongated, beautiful light green body, about an inch long. They also have long legs, each also about an inch long as well. The rear of the body has a pair of puny-looking pincers. They don't seem skittish- I can catch them pretty easily. If they have wings, it's awfully hard to tell- maybe they're folded up tightly against their body, I don't know?

They're very graceful insects, but I'd be much happier if they took up residence OUTSIDE. And of course, if they're eating the larvae of a pest, I'd hate to harm a beneficial insect.

They're not grasshoppers. They're not praying mantises. Maybe they're some kind of stick insect, but their legs don't seem to fit the description.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

-MR

[Ready4Change]

1. No idea, but I'd like to see a pic.

Love seeing weird bugs.

[On the Road]

2. With the Millions of Varieties of Insects

good luck on the identification. Seriously, though, there's such a huge mass of knowledge here at DU that I bet you get a good response with a photo.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Get me a good photo...

and I can most likely ID it for you.

Hell

[FranzFerdinand]

4. is it a stink bug?

[MallRat]

6. Nope. The body is very slender, legs longer. n/t

[Philostopher]

5. Could it be a katydid?

They've just started up here in Ohio the past couple of weeks, guess it could be they're just now hatching in Mass.

[MallRat]

7. Nuh-uh. My insect doesn't have wide wings or a prominent head. n/t

[Cassandra]

8. Cicada, cricket or praying mantis?

[MallRat]

9. Hmmm... it may be some kind of tree cricket, now that I look at it.

This isn't quite the same as the little guys in my house, but we're getting closer: