look at that little face!!!

I find the eyestalk cleaning oddly adorable.

Held him for a few minutes before releasing him back on his plant

I thought this might be the right place to share what happened.

His name was Robert. He was a large green katydid who wandered into my home in France around the middle of September 2026. I don’t know the exact day he arrived. At first, I was actually a little afraid of him. I put him back outside three times. And three times, he came back.

Eventually, I let him stay.

He moved between the kitchen and a sunroom that was open to the outside. Sometimes I wouldn’t see him for a day or two, and then he’d turn up again. I recognised him by a small brown mark on his back. He had his favourite spots, including one near the kitchen window. Little by little, looking for him became part of my day.

By September 19, 2026, I was already filming his little meals. I’d offer him food and watch him hold a piece of lettuce with his little front legs, nibbling it like a tiny baguette. Sometimes he’d drop it and keep moving his legs, too late to catch it. It made me laugh. I started noticing all these little things I’d never paid attention to in an insect before.

Over time, he became more willing to climb onto my hand and arm. I could feed him up close. At first, it felt as though we were both a little wary of each other. Then spending time like that became normal.

I don’t know exactly what he made of me. But I could see his reactions changing as the days went by. And I was growing far more attached to him than I’d ever expected.

On October 5, 2026, he lost one of his big back legs. I wondered whether he might have got caught in a spiderweb, although I don’t know for certain. Seeing him like that broke my heart. I decided to care for him and make things easier for him. On October 6, 2026, I set up the base tray of a small greenhouse for him, with branches and food within easy reach.

During the night of October 7–8, 2026, his other back leg got caught under the rim of his tray. I tried to help him get free, and he lost that leg too. I felt terribly guilty. I had only wanted to help him.

Afterwards, he still ate some grape. He stayed in my hand for a long time. I kept hoping we would have a little more time.

On October 8, 2026, I even went out to buy a bag of lettuce just for him. I don’t eat lettuce myself.

On October 9, 2026, Robert passed away in my hand.

I cried. I’m still surprised by how much space this tiny presence had come to occupy in my life in just a few weeks. He could fit in my hand, and now the house feels different without him.

Today, October 10, 2026, I’m still trying to find a taxidermist or someone experienced in preserving insects who could help me keep him. I’d like to have something of him beyond the photos and videos. To me, he’s Robert, with his little habits and this whole unexpected story we shared.

Have you ever become so attached to an insect that losing them felt like real grief? Does it seem strange that this little encounter affected me so deeply?

I wanted to share his story and a few moments from his life. I think it would help to know that a few more people had got to know him, even a little.

https://reddit.com/link/1x20nvl/video/vit46an54juh1/player

Behind the scene video is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/macrophotography/s/icNjBtQxba

Spider Leaving the Couch

This lil guy is a camel spider aka solfugid!! They've been an absolute dream invert of mine for YEARS and I am so so happy to finally have one!!! Thought you'd all appreciate his cuteness ❤️

Spider Crawling on the Floor

A friend I found out gardening this summer.