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Tympanophora picta (female)
These katydids grow to about 3cm from head to the tip of the abdomen, with the ovipositor (in females) being as long, or longer than the body. Members of this genus are ambush predators. Their colouration and shape makes them difficult to spot among vegetation, where they wait for passing invertebrates. The mandibles are modified to pierce the tough bodies of their victims, which they grab with the fore legs and deliver a bite to the top of the head, immobilising their prey instantly.
Found in undergrowth of Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest, close to Donnybrook.
A detailed description of the genus can be found in "A Guide to the Katydids of Australia", by David C. Rentz
Spotted on Nov 11, 2011
Submitted on Jun 12, 2017
2 Comments
Thanks, Mark! Yeah, the west can be quite different and it's nowhere near as well documented, compared to the east. One of the many things I love about Australia :-)
Super spotting Felix. Those Western Australians have some fabulous creatures.. often very different to our side of the continent.