WTB
Dear Bugman,
Hope you will be able to identify this little critter for us. sister-in-law found it on her rose bush on Tue 15 Nov. She then placed it in a large cardboard box (with food) until Sun 20 Nov, the day she returned it to the rose bush. Yesterday, Thu 24 Nov this little critter was still sitting happily on the rose bush. We live in Barcaldine – Central Western Queensland Australia. Trust you can help. Thank you.
Joycelyn
Hi Joycelyn,
We sought expert help with your awesome specimen, but cannot come up with an exact species. We can tell you it is some type of Katydid and that it is immature. That crest is so distinctive. In Los Angeles, the Katydids love my rose bushes as well. I usually shoo them away since I don’t like them eating the rose buds, but I am well aware that they just return. Since I really like Katydids, I won’t kill them, but I would really rather have them eating shrubbery leaves.
Update (03/29/2006) We just got the following letter:
Hi Bugman, I noticed the picture of the ‘crested katydid’ you had been sent from Australia. I believe this is the Superb Katydid (Alectoria superba). Hope this is of help. Keep up the good work.
Aaron in London, UK