The Australian Mountain Katydid

An interesting insect found in the Eastern part of  Australia:

Museums Field Guide apps species profiles – terrestrial invertebrates

Brief description

Wispy antennae, mottled grey-brown, abdominal bands of crimson and blue, body-length to 5 cm.

Description

Female squat, long-legged and flightless; male more elongate and with fully-formed wings. Both sexes have long, wispy antennae. Colour mottled grey-brown, cream-white and black, but with bands of crimson and blue – normally hidden – along the edge of each abdominal segment. Body-length up to 5 cm.

Biology

These insects feed mostly on fireweeds and other herbs, from which they may assimilate toxins that make them distasteful to predators. They rely on camouflage to avoid detection. When threatened, females freeze while males emit a warning call. If further threatened, the wing-covers are raised and the abdomen arched and vibrated, revealing otherwise hidden bands of shimmering crimson and electric blue. Males also sing when defending territory or courting.

Habitat

Mostly high-altitude grasslands, heathlands and woodlands.

Native status

Native to Australia.

Maximum size (cm)

5

Diet

Herbivore

Dangerous

Usually harmless, but can bite.

Colours

black, white, grey, red, blue

Distribution

Eastern Australia

Provided by: Museums Field Guide apps species profiles – terrestrial invertebrates

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