Giant Katydid Nymph

Subject:  Is this a grasshopper? Katydid? Hybrid? Help!
Geographic location of the bug:  Boynton Beach, Florida
Date: 06/10/2018
Time: 07:25 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  Hello! I have a lovely bug who lives in my little patio lime tree, and I cannot figure out what it is! It is currently in the process of growing wings, but it had a very broad, flat back with what looks like a plate of armour. Please help!
How you want your letter signed:  Cheers, Jenna

Giant Katydid Nymph

Dear Jenna,
Based on this BugGuide image, we believe this is a Giant Katydid nymph,
Stilpnochlora couloniana.  According to BugGuide:  “Largest katydid in U.S, over 65 mm long.”  The Singing Insects of North America, a site credited to the University of Florida Entomology Department, has nice images of the life cycle of the Giant Katydid.  Keeping Insects has a nice article on the Giant Katydid.

Hi Daniel!!
Thanks so much for getting back to me! I just looked at the links you sent and I believe you are correct, those look exactly like it! And oh my gosh I didn’t know giant katydids were an actual thing, they are HUGE!!!
Thanks again 🙂

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