Predatory bush cricket

Description

Saga pedo is a species of bush cricket,spread throughout the European part of the Mediterranean,and Asia as far east as China.It is a wingless bush cricket,with the body size of up to 12 centimetres (4.7 in),which makes it one of the largest European insects.Colloquially known as the predatory bush cricket,or the Spiked Magician (due to the "enchanting" manner in which it waves its forelimbs as it approaches its prey),it is uncommon among its kind due to its carnivorous lifestyle,most often preying on smaller insects,with a known tendency towards cannibalism as well.For this purpose,it has strong fore and mid legs,equipped with sharp spines.When these animals are hunting,they move about,catching their prey by suddenly leaping on them and grabbing them with their legs.Their prey is usually killed by biting into the throat,and eating is done at capture.Saga pedo is active at dusk and during nighttime,with activity slowly expanding through the day at the end of the season