T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Katidid (Olive-green Coastal) Austrosalomona falcata

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Uniramia
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Superfamily: Tettigonioidea
Family: Tettigoniidae
Subfamily: Conocephalinae
Genus: Austrosalomona
Species: A. falcate
Binominal name: Austrosalomona falcata
Synonym: Lobaspis falcate, Nicsara falcate, Salomona solida
Common name: Olive-green Coastal Katydid

Austrosalomona falcate is a member of the grasshopper family and is common in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It has been reported from the Kermadec Islands. They inhabit urban areas, rural areas and grassy woodlands.
Austrosalomona falcate was first reported in New Zealand from Kaitaia, Northland in 2007 and is now found in Doubtless Bay, Kerikeri, Russell and more recently in Auckland, confirming its survival in New Zealand.
Austrosalomona falcate is olive green or brownish in colour not like the bright green of other species that are found in New Zealand. They grow up to 5 cm in length and have a cone-shaped head with brown eyes. The females have a long thick ovipositor.
Austrosalomona falcate are nocturnal and are probably an omnivore (eats animals or plants). It can cause damage as they feed on fruits and flowers using powerful jaws. This species is not known as a major pest.
During the day they rest camouflaged among plant foliage.
The males have a chirpy call (stridulating) that is low and incessant and can be heard from dusk well into the night.They usually chirp from within bushes or trees.  The chirpy sound is produced when one forewing is scraped against the other. They are attracted to lights so will enter houses at night and are usually found rest in the folds of curtains.

Photo of a female showing its large. broad, distinctive, external ovipositor.
 

Male
 

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/


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