Nick Volpe
Slender Bush Katydid (Polichne sp.)
A fluro katydid!
The wet season is bringing life into the Top End. As new leaves are sprouting, many juvenile herbivorous insects such as this Slender Bush Katydid (Polichne sp.) are growing fast. I've watched this particular Katydid for a fortnight feeding on the same patch of leaves in monsoon forest.
When these Katydids are first born, they mimic Green Tree Ants, but slowly lose the shape of an ant as it moults. At this stage pictured they are an incredible fluro colour that almost looks fake! The next moult will see it lose this fluro colouration and begin to mimic a leaf more in colour.
Slender Bush Katydid (Polichne sp.)
A fluro katydid!
The wet season is bringing life into the Top End. As new leaves are sprouting, many juvenile herbivorous insects such as this Slender Bush Katydid (Polichne sp.) are growing fast. I've watched this particular Katydid for a fortnight feeding on the same patch of leaves in monsoon forest.
When these Katydids are first born, they mimic Green Tree Ants, but slowly lose the shape of an ant as it moults. At this stage pictured they are an incredible fluro colour that almost looks fake! The next moult will see it lose this fluro colouration and begin to mimic a leaf more in colour.