Need help with bug id

[efBobby]

Generally I have a system that work almost all the time; ALMOST.

Generally when I spot an insect I ask if it has antennas or not bc generally predators have long antennas whereas the pest mostly either do not or have very short ones.

next I assess where it’s eyes are. If it’s looking up or out it’s generally a predator looking outward/not at the plant for food.

mid it is looking down or if it’s mouth is down it’s a pest feeding but SOMETIMES it’s a predator looking for small pest.

this thing has extra equipment, not sure if it is for finding prey or sap, small antennas and grasshopper legs. My gut says it’s a pest but I’m really curious what it is.

I never see them in numbers, generally solo.

 

[VinesnBines]

Looks like an assassin bug or wheel bug. Eats Japanese Beetles. Send him to my vineyard.

 

[efBobby]

Nice! Learned that lesson last year probably killed like 6 lacewings now i always id them.

I wasn’t sure bc it resembled a grasshopper with the hind legs and the extra face gear.

many thanks

 

[efBobby]

You have any idea which species? I have yet to find a pic to match it.

 

[VinesnBines]

I don’t have any idea. The head looks pretty big compared with pictures on the internet. If it doesn’t seem to doing any harm to your vines or attacking you, I’d say leave it alone.

 

[efBobby]

Found it, it’s called a red-headed bush cricket. I’ll spray it if I see it but I have a female mantis lurking about 2 pots down so she may have already dispatched it.