
A Spiny Devil Katydid transforming into an adult near Iquitos, Peru
In preparation for an upcoming return to the Amazonian lowlands of Peru, I was looking through my photos from previous trips and rediscovered this beastie. These katydids are strange enough in their standard adult form, but this one, hanging from the skin while transforming from larva to adult, looks like nothing more than a creature from Alien. Also, it was intermittently wriggling, then hanging still.

Panacanthus cuspidatus is one of the conehead katydids, all of which have a spike sticking up from the tops of the heads. In this case, the spike is a huge, three-pointed red horn. The rest of the head and the legs are also covered by spines. It uses its extremely powerful jaws to feed on forest seeds and fruits. Unlike most katydids, this one can easily break human skin with its bite.
comments (14)
http://www.jungledragon.com/image/35752 Posted 9 years ago
Off-topic: As you seem to have visited Peru before, any tips on locations? Posted 9 years ago
Posted 9 years ago