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Katydids of Zihuatanejo

FAMILY TETTIGONIDAE

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids (Order Orthoptera)

-Katydids, Crickets, and Allies (Suborder Ensifera)

-Katydids, and Allies (Infraorder Tettigoniidea)

-Superfamily Tettigonioidea

-​Katydids (Family Tettigoniidae)

-Quiet-calling Katydids (Subfamily Meconematinae)

-Tribe Phlugidini

-Genus Phlugis

-Phlugis chrysopa


Phlugis chrysopa is a species of quiet-calling katydids in the tribe Phlugidini. Katydids, in general, are known for their characteristic sounds, which are used for communication, primarily in mating. However, Phlugis chrysopa seems to be less vocal than its more commonly known relatives. It has a pale green body, often with a subtle yellowish or light brown tint, which helps it blend into its surroundings, especially in leafy or grassy environments.

Description

  • Phlugis chrysopa is a small, slender katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, subfamily Phaneropterinae. It has a narrow body, very long thread-like antennae, long legs, and delicate, translucent wings. The body and wings are predominantly green, giving it excellent camouflage among leaves and other vegetation. Unlike many leaf-mimicking phaneropterines, Phlugis species often have a more delicate, almost glass-like appearance.

Range

  • Phlugis chrysopa is a Neotropical species occurring from Mexico and Central America into northern South America. In Mexico, it is associated with warm western and southern regions, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo area.

Habitat

  • It inhabits tropical and subtropical forest, seasonally dry woodland, forest edges, scrub, and dense foliage. Adults are usually found on leaves and stems in shaded vegetation, where their small size and translucent green colour make them difficult to detect.

Diet

  • Phlugis chrysopa is primarily predatory or omnivorous, feeding on small insects and other soft-bodied arthropods encountered on vegetation. It may also consume plant material, making its diet more varied than that of strictly herbivorous katydids.

Quiet-calling Katydids

Phlugis chrysopa

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