strange bug - Insara covilleae

From Thomas Walker

What a striking katydid!! It belongs to the genus Insara (Phaneropterinae) and is probably I. covilleae (creosote bush-katydid, UFL Website ). I say probably because I can’t see some of the key structures and because it is more boldly patterned than the pinned specimens I have. However, I. covilleae is the most boldly patterned U.S. Insara, so if it is not that…!?

… Lynette Schimming, 27 September, 2005 - 9:30am

Thank You to everybody who re

Thank You to everybody who responded. It helps a lot!
The only thing that nobody has mentioned is :does it bite? sting? scratch? poke? or any other way harm me if it lands on me?? They look pretty scary, especially when there are 3or 4 of them on my back door!!

… silverlegacy, 26 September, 2005 - 10:13pm

Honestly

I don't know a lot about your specific katydid, but the ones we have around here are harmless. Think of it as a brightly colored grasshopper. Sit back and enjoy the scenery!

… Lynette Schimming, 26 September, 2005 - 10:25pm

Katydid

is my guess. Its shape reminds me of one I found in Ecuador.

… Jim McClarin, 24 September, 2005 - 7:28pm

Creosote bush katydid.

This is one of the creosote bush katydids in the genus Insara. They are often attracted to lights at night. On the host plant they are virtually invisible!

… Eric R. Eaton, 26 September, 2005 - 3:41pm

soooo does it bite?

… silverlegacy, 26 September, 2005 - 10:14pm

Wow,

what cool colors.

… Lynette Schimming, 24 September, 2005 - 6:34pm

What the Well-Dressed Cricket is Wearing

It looks positively dressed to the nines- I wonder if its name is Jimminy. :)

… Chuck Entz, 26 September, 2005 - 3:01pm

Tree Cricket?

It kind of looks like a tree cricket but i haven't see this specie before if it is.

… Andy Varsho, 24 September, 2005 - 4:01pm