Macroxiphus

Macroxiphus[1] is a small genus of bush crickets or katydids distributed in Southeast Asia and Micronesia. The nymphs (immature stages) of the insects mimic ants.

Macroxiphus
Macroxiphus species mimicking an ant
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Family: Tettigoniidae
Subtribe: Liarina
Genus: Macroxiphus
Pictet, 1888
Synonyms

Odontocoryphus Karny, 1907

Species

Species include:[2]

  • Macroxiphus nasicornis Pictet, 1888 - type species
  • Macroxiphus sumatranus (Haan, 1843)

Camouflage and mimicry

Young instars of Macroxiphus, such as M. sumatranus, have an "uncanny resemblance" to ants, extending to their black coloration, remarkably perfect antlike shape, and convincingly antlike behaviour. Their long antennae are camouflaged to appear short, being black only at the base, and they are vibrated like ant antennae. Larger instars suddenly change into typical-looking katydids, and are entirely nocturnal, while the adult has bright warning coloration.[3]

References
  1. Pictet (1888) Mem. Soc. Phys. Hist. Nat. Geneve 30(6): 52.
  2. Cigliano, M. M.; Braun, H.; Eades, D. C.; Otte, D. "genus Macroxiphus Pictet, 1888". orthoptera.speciesfile.org. Orthoptera Species File. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  3. Gwynne, Darryl T. (2001). Katydids and Bush-crickets: Reproductive Behavior and Evolution of the Tettigoniidae. Cornell University Press. p. 80. ISBN 0-8014-3655-9.
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