Fauna
Insect

Brown Armoured Corncricket

Acanthoplus discoidalis

Also known as Armoured Ground Cricket, Armoured Katydid, Koringkriek, Setotojane

Heavy-bodied and flightless, these armored katydids are famous for their spiky pronotums and formidable defense mechanisms. When threatened, adults squirt foul-smelling hemolymph up to thirty centimeters from pores near their legs while stridulating loudly to deter predators. They feed opportunistically on crops, wild vegetation, and even dead or injured members of their own species during mass outbreaks.

FlightlessSpikyDefense Mechanism
Brown Armoured Corncricket reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySorghum crops, Pearl millet, Carrion
Predators
  • Kori Bustard
  • Yellow Mongoose
  • Fiscal Shrike
ThreatsPesticide applications, localized control measures
HabitatsArid savannas, grasslands, dry bushveld, agricultural fields
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. FamilyTettigoniidae
  2. SpeciesAcanthoplus discoidalis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Possesses sharp thoracic spines and powerful mandibles capable of giving a painful bite if handled.
Why it is dangerous
Equipped with strong mandibles capable of breaking skin, sharp spines, and defensive hemolymph squirting.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Bulky, brownish flightless body with a distinct collar of sharp spines around the thorax.
What to do
Observe without touching, as defensive handling triggers reflex bleeding and strong bites.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Watch from a short distance to avoid triggering reflex bleeding or defensive stridulation.
  • Handling: Avoid picking up by hand because powerful mandibles can inflict a painful pinch.
Related species
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