Ephippiger ephippiger

Rose early this morning to find this fellow sitting on a stool by the kitchen, obviously waiting for the breakfast bar to open.

When I realised that s/he was just a baby and was rather weak, I carried him outside and deposited him among some wild flowers he hopped away happily.

Ephippiger ephippiger grow up to be a striking green and black striped, huge, grasshopper. I'm very fond of them. There's a good example here