South American Locust vs PNG Giant Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Locust PNG Giant Katydid
Scientific Name Schistocerca cancellata Siliquofera grandis
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Acrididae Tettigoniidae
Size 45-65 mm 70-100 mm body length
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay Oceania (Papua New Guinea)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Locust

A major swarming locust of South America closely related to the desert locust. It periodically forms devastating swarms across Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

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Did You Know?

After decades of suppression, this species made an unexpected resurgence in Argentina in 2015, forming swarms not seen since the 1950s.

PNG Giant Katydid

A very large katydid found in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, with a body resembling a green leaf. Its leaf mimicry is remarkably detailed, including simulated vein patterns, leaf edges, and even brown spots resembling fungal damage.

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Did You Know?

This katydid's leaf mimicry extends to simulating insect damage and fungal spots on its wings, making it virtually invisible among real foliage.