The pink eyes and spiky legs of the enormous Greater Arid-land Katydid make it difficult to miss.
Greater Arid-land Katydids are relatives of the grasshopper. Katydids have long antennae while grasshoppers have shorter ones. They have short wings are are capable of flight. Long hind legs also make them good jumpers. This species preys on smaller insects and flashes brightly patterned hindwings when threatened or disturbed.
They are found in a variety of arid habitats. Desert shrubs like creosote and jojoba as well as cacti are resting places. They have also been seen in woody areas in addition to open fields. The Greater Arid-land Katydid grows large enough to fill the entire hand of an adult. Spikes on its legs may be used to create a species-specific noise which could aid in identifying it. Females have an ovipositor, a long spine-like 'tail', that is used for depositing eggs.
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
