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Acanthoplus discoidalis
They are wide-bodied, flightless and can grow to around 5 cm. Their thorax is covered in sharp spines and they have a pair of strong biting jaws. They are able to defend themselves against predators in an unusual manner by squirting haemolymph (insect blood) out of their bodies. Their populations peak in autumn and their bodies often litter roads during this time. When deprived of protein and salt they can become cannibalistic.
Acanthoplus discoidalis is a species of katydid that is native to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Photos are taken in watered Lodge garden but it also lives in dry and semidry savannah.
Location Data GPS tagged.
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