I posted this before on the Wildlife Forum asking about an ID, but thought some would be interested in seeing this weird creature now that I believe I found out what it is! And because I found out two other Texans had asked about this on an insect site this month...well, it might even show up on your plants! It's apparently the Greater Arid-Land Katydid and it's predaceous.
http://buzz.ifas.ufl.edu/331a.htm
Wow!! Linda, you are not kidding, what is it?
Prettydarndaceous if you ask me. Boy is he prehistoric. Yuk
AAAHHHHH!!!! Yikes those things are reall awful!
Looks kind of like the spitting dinosaur from jurassic park movie. pretty cool looking.
Glad they aren't found around here--great link.
Great picture!
This katydid attacks and eats other insects. Also bites people on occasion. I had spotted a Black Swallowtail caterpillar on a fennel plant in my garden that day. When I was trying to get closer to see the caterpillar better, that's when I suddenly saw this creature, close-up and personal. I jumped back and then realized that I needed a picture, otherwise nobody would ever believe how utterly weird this thing was. I did rescue the caterpillar, BTW. Otherwise, it would have probably ended up the katydid's prey! And just for people who like the sound of katydids on a summer night, remember you could be hearing this thing, if you're in the range shown on that link's map!
I listened to their sound on the link and they sound like everyday garden variety katydids, so you never know what you are listening to!
lol LindaTX8
One of those little critters is living in my hyssop. Mine makes a racket at night....but I just don't have the heart to shoo it away..lol I think my katydids and this particular bug are singing duos outside of my window.. :)
well I don't think I have ever seen anything quite that ugly. I hope I don't meet one in person! It had me jumping in my chair when I enlarged it to view.
Looks like a grasshopper with a cleft palate. A face that scares its prey to death then he can devour it.
Oh what a Cutie Pie.........I want one!!!!! LOL
Linda - I just KNEW you had put together a bunch of stuff in photoshop and were now perpetrating a hoax on all of us! I am flabbergasted! To say how unusual this critter is just doesn't describe it! Thanx much for the education! And, BTW, one awesome photo!!!
CJ
OMG, he's hilarious! His face is definitely a Katydid/hopper face but not the rest of him! My son would just love it if I found one!
