Congo Basin Katydid vs Lichen-Bark Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Congo Basin Katydid Lichen-Bark Katydid
Scientific Name Enyaliopsis petersi Markia hystrix
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Tettigoniidae Tettigoniidae
Size 50-70 mm 35-50 mm
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Central Africa (DRC, Congo, Cameroon, Gabon) Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Congo Basin Katydid

A large, armored katydid with a heavily spined pronotum and legs. It produces loud stridulating calls at night. Despite its fierce appearance, it is primarily herbivorous, feeding on forest leaves and flowers.

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Did You Know?

The spines covering its body deter predators and can inflict painful scratches on anything that attempts to swallow it.

Lichen-Bark Katydid

A Neotropical katydid covered in spine-like projections that mimic lichen or moss. Its body is green with textured growths blending with epiphyte-covered bark.

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Did You Know?

Its spiny body projections are so convincing that even scientists can struggle to spot it on mossy branches.