Pterochroza ocellata

Pterochroza ocellata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Orthoptera
Family:	Tettigoniidae
Tribe:	Pterochrozini
Genus:	Pterochroza
Species:	P. ocellata
Binomial name
Pterochroza ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758)

Pterochroza ocellata, the peacock katydid, is an insect in the Tettigoniidae family. This species in startle display showing false eyespots on wings. This leaf-mimic katydid resembles a dead or diseased leaf at rest to protect itself from the predators.

Characteristics

Peacock Katydid (Pterochroza Ocellata) adult size (length) is about 45mm to 65mm (1.77in to 2.56in). Identifying colors varies, but the most common color is green. Peacock katydid resembles a dried, damaged leaf. This species has some other given unique names such as Eyespot Attack, and walking leaves. Resembling dead leaves is the key for its existence to protect itself from the predators. If it’s camouflage fails and predator realizes it; it would feel in danger and will unfold its wings to reveal two eye spots to startle the predator. Very interesting fact that there’s no two individuals are alike in their color or shape of the wings; this would help prevent such predators as birds and monkeys from learning to recognize them as a possible meal. The adult katydids size ranges from one to five inches. Their ears (tympana) are located on their front legs. Usually its antennae is two to three times the length of the body.

Origin

The Peacock katydids was founded by the rapid assessment program (R.A.P). Which is a program that surveys provide quick assessment of the biological value of an area and identify species in need of conservation action. The Peacock katydid was found in the year of 2006, the creature was spotted in the Acarai Mountains in Guyana . Peacock Katydid have been spotted in many areas in North America. For instance, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and many more. The katydid derives it's name from the male's repetitive call, which has been said that it sounds like “Ka-ty-did”. A European term for katydid, “tizi”, also sounds similar to the insect's call. “Each species has its own rasping song, produced by stridulation; among katydids this consists of rubbing the forewings together, one of which is ridged. Both sexes hear using a structure called a tympanum, or tympanic organ, one of which is located on each foreleg”. The Peacock katydids are extremely rare, and have a defense mechanism that has been working to the katydids favor, which is their ability to camouflage.

Taxonomy & Evolution

The Peacock Katydid (Binomial name; Pterochroza ocellata) is an insect in the Tettigoniidae family rank, based on the biological classification. The kingdom of the peacock katydid is animalia, phylum; Arthropoda, class; insecta, order; orthoptera, tribe; pterochrozini, and the genus; pterochroza. Peacock katydid also have a scientific name called Microcentrum rhombifolium, and other names such as Greater Wing Katydid or Leaf Katydid. The Peacock Katydids have unique wings that look like rusted or diseased leaves. This camouflage has developed over years, with the cause of natural selection and evolution. The Peacock Katydids (leaf katydid) have developed and learned to use their unique disguise to hide from predators. Wing form and function varies widely among katydids. Overall as a group the peacock katydid are poor flyers despite wingspans of 20 cm (8 inches) among some tropical residents. Many species do not fly but only flutter their wings during leaps; the others expose brightly coloured hindwings as a form of defense. Eggs are laid within or upon various living or dead plant material, depending on the species. The young are similar to adults but have less-developed wings. Katydids feed chiefly on plant matter, though several also eat other insects.

Habitats

Peacock Katydid was first discovered in 2006 in Guyana, and it was described to have a brown body in the shape of a leaf. It uses camouflage for its main defense against predators by having the ability to resemble a dead leaf lying on the forest grounds. Having to be able to look a lot like its habitat is one of the most advantages this specie of katydid has over other insects. This insect is also a crucial food source of animal protein for other animals, so being able to blend in with habitat is a must. Scientists has also concluded that the peacock katydid tend to live in small specific environments and do not spread out. Altering the habitat can really affect the insect because of their sensitivity to change.

Eating Habits

The Peacock Katydids diet consists of leaves, plant matter, and sometimes even other insects, mainly the ones that are already dead. They tend to eat the leaf that they reside on, until they finish it. Then they move on to find a new home and repeat the process. The Peacock Katydid is not a predator. It is usually prayed on by monkeys who actively search for the Katydids by sorting through leaf piles.

Reproductive Behavior

The male Peacock Katydid attracts a mate by emitting a high frequency call, which is produced by rubbing a scraper on one fore-wing against the jagged edge of the other fore-wing. This sound, unlike the audible call of North American species, is thought to double as an interference for the echolocation of bats, one of the many natural predators of the Peacock Katydid. When a female appears in response to the call, the katydids first sense each other with their antennae, and then proceed to produce short low frequency vibrations towards one another by shaking their entire bodies. They do this in order to gauge the size and strength of one another. If the male does not retreat, the female will approach and the male will slide his body under hers. The male will use a pair of processes on his abdomen to attach to the abdomen of the female and then cross his hind legs over her back in order to secure himself. Over the next few hours, the male will produce the spermatophylax and attach it to the female's ovipositor. The spermatophylax is a gelatinous structure that contains the male's sperm cells, as well as carbohydrates and proteins to ensure the survival of the female and health of the offspring. The males hold great interest in the survival of their offspring, considering that the spermatophylax can exceed more than 20% of their body mass. After the spermatophylax is attached, the pair separates and the female doubles over and begins to consume the spermatophylax.

External links

• Pterochroza ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758), Orthoptera Species File
• Pterochroza ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758), Encyclopedia of Life
• Rare and Newly Discovered: Creepy Crawlies, Earth Rangers Wild Wire Blog, n.d. Web. 2013
• Katydid, Encyclopedia Britannica Online, n.d. Web. 20 May 2013 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Conservation International has identified Guyana as the habitat for one of the 20 most unusual/rare species, Guyana Graphic, n.d. Web. 20 May 2013
• Amazing Peacock Katydid, Save Our Green, n.d. Web. 20 May 2013
• The Beautiful Katydids, Naskrecki, Piotr, n.d. Web. 20 May 2013
• "Earth Rangers." Rare and Newly Discovered: Creepy Crawlies. N.p., 25 05 2011. Blog. 20 May. 2013
• "Alonso, Leeanne, Jessica Deichmann, Sheila McKenna, Piotr Naskrecki, and Stephen Richards. "Rapid Assessment Program (RAP)." Conservation International. Chicago Press, n.d. Web. 20 May 2013
• "True Facts About The Leaf Katydid." Amazing Videos. Amazing Videos Is Part Of The Great Stuff Network, 02 25 2013. Web. 21 May. 2013
• "Katydid"