Amazing Peacock katydid

Peacock katydid

Peacock katydid

Common name: Peacock katydid

Scientific name: Pterochroza ocellata

Distribution: Recently found in Guyana

Description: 
The peacock katydid was found in Guyana in 2006. This species of katydid has a leaf-shaped brown body that perfectly resembles a dead leaf on forest ground. This camouflage is used for survival. If this camouflage fails, it opens it’s brightly colored wings and shows a pair of fake eyes to surprise the predator It has long, strong hind legs, and four wings that are folded lengthwise when at rest. The wings are filmy and extend far beyond the body. The insect hears through organs, called tympana, located on the forelegs.

Habit and Habitat: 
Like all katydids, the peacock katydid is also nocturnal. The group katydid is named for its mating call, “Katydid! Katydidn’t!” The call, made by the male only, is produced by rubbing a scraper on one fore-wing against the toothed edge of the other fore-wing. It eats the leaves of trees and shrubs.

Importance: Peacock katydids may be central to the food webs of tropical forest ecosystems, where they serve as a primary source of animal protein for monkeys, rodents, bats, birds, lizards, amphibians, and spiders, along with other insects.