Someone sent me this pic from Botswana
Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Dear bugman:
I don’t have much to go on here. All I know is the photo is from Botswana. Not even sure what part of the country. Thanks in advance.
Alex
Botswana
Hi Alex,
This is a Shield-Backed Katydid in the subfamily Tettigoniinae. Other than that, we would need the input of someone familiar with the species in Botswana. Some Shield-Backed Katydids are carnivorous, but most are plant eaters.
BTW, I love your site. You guys are what the web is supposed to be.
This is a Armoured Ground Cricket (bradyporidae). I think Acanthoplus discoidalis.
Greetings
Chris – Ucksmucks
Yes this is shieldback katydid and the insect is found in most parts of Botswana especially during the harvesting period. Most people believe it is most present when there has been abundant sorghum (mabele in setswana) produced and it remains present until the harvesting period ends, then the insect ‘disappears’ until the next harvesting period.
Thank you so much for this information.