Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Colourful katydid nymph


This is Kurandoptera purpura, and older nymph of the katydid featured as a hatchling recently. This individual was found locally upon citrus, and although it has outgrown the ant mimicking phase of its lifecycle it still behaves quite unusually for a katydid. It vibrates its antennae in a rapid tapping-like motion, similar to the way many wasps do. Rather than moving in a 'swaying' leaf-like manner, it moves in faster erratic bursts, which is quite wasp-like also. This nymph was not hesitant at all about moving around during the day. Again this is relatively unusual for katydids. Nymphs of most species are quite inactive during the day, relying on their camouflage to protect them from visual predators such as birds.

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