Unusual pink eyes and prickly legs on the enormous Greater Arid-land Katydid make it hard to miss.
Greater Arid-land Katydids are relatives of the grasshopper. One way Katydids physically differ from Grasshoppers is by having very long antennae.
Grasshoppers have much shorter ones. Katydids have short wings that are capable of flight, and long hind legs make them good jumpers. This species preys on smaller insects and flashes brightly patterned hindwings when threatened or disturbed.
Greater Arid-land Katydids are found in a variety of dry habitats. Desert shrubs like creosote and jojoba, as well as cacti, are popular resting places. They have also been seen in woody areas and hanging out in open fields. The Greater Arid-land Katydid is bigger than many other types of Katydids and grows large enough to fill the entire hand of an adult. The green head and body contrast with light pink eyes, an uncommon color for an insect. Short, black spikes on its legs may be used to create a species-specific noise which could aid in identifying it. Turquoise and black wings hide under green, veiny wing covers. Females have an ovipositor, a long spine-like 'tail', that is used for depositing eggs, not for defense.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Orthoptera
Family:Tettigoniidae
Genus:Neobarrettia
Species:spinosa
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Neobarrettia spinosa
Category:
Grasshopper or Cricket
Size (Adult; Length): 40mm to 110mm (1.56in to 4.29in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Colors: green, black, gray, blue, pink
