Post by trehopr1 on Aug 16, 2019 19:09:02 GMT
I recently purchased this impressive giant from another collection. I've always had a fondness for katydids; their cryptic colors and sometimes exaggerated appearance has always been thought provoking from the evolutionary standpoint. Amongst the 6000+ described species this one reaches the apex of size for the family.
This is commonly known as the Great-shielded Grasshopper (Siliquofera grandis)/Blanchard,1853. It's outstretched wings may on occasion exceed 25cm (9.8 inches); although there are a couple of other similar giants which rival it in size (or nearly so). Those other species belong to the genera Sasima and Macrolyristes. However, in terms of sheer bulk I believe this one is tops...
I have always desired having at least one singular "nice" example present in my katydid holdings. But, over the years this has proven elusive as too often I have seen many shabby examples. I have seen many with broken antennae, chipped-up or heavily damaged wings, or fairly well discolored bodies/wings. Upon seeing this example (which was available from a collection recently sold); I seized upon it. The previous owner had done a supreme job in spreading it as it appears to of just "leapt" from a tree branch.
As a group, katydids (or bush crickets) are poor flyers. Many species do not fly but, only flutter their wings during leaps. This particular species hails from Papua New Guinea however, I have read somewhere that it is also known from Northern Queensland Australia. Don't know if it is found in the Solomon Islands chain but, that is a possibility due to errant winds or cyclones.
It really must be something to see one of these beasties in life ! To imagine something like this landing on your moth sheet or even holding one in your hand -- alive, breathing, and moving. Surely, a moment that one would never ever forget...
This is commonly known as the Great-shielded Grasshopper (Siliquofera grandis)/Blanchard,1853. It's outstretched wings may on occasion exceed 25cm (9.8 inches); although there are a couple of other similar giants which rival it in size (or nearly so). Those other species belong to the genera Sasima and Macrolyristes. However, in terms of sheer bulk I believe this one is tops...
I have always desired having at least one singular "nice" example present in my katydid holdings. But, over the years this has proven elusive as too often I have seen many shabby examples. I have seen many with broken antennae, chipped-up or heavily damaged wings, or fairly well discolored bodies/wings. Upon seeing this example (which was available from a collection recently sold); I seized upon it. The previous owner had done a supreme job in spreading it as it appears to of just "leapt" from a tree branch.
As a group, katydids (or bush crickets) are poor flyers. Many species do not fly but, only flutter their wings during leaps. This particular species hails from Papua New Guinea however, I have read somewhere that it is also known from Northern Queensland Australia. Don't know if it is found in the Solomon Islands chain but, that is a possibility due to errant winds or cyclones.
It really must be something to see one of these beasties in life ! To imagine something like this landing on your moth sheet or even holding one in your hand -- alive, breathing, and moving. Surely, a moment that one would never ever forget...