Insect
Lesser Anglewing
Microcentrum retinerveAlso known as Lesser Angle-winged Katydid
Lesser anglewings are masterful leaf mimics that spend their lives camouflaged high in deciduous tree canopies, complete with false leaf veins and ragged leaf-like wing margins. Males produce distinctive rhythmic clicking or ticking calls at dusk and throughout warm summer nights to court stationary females. Females lay slate-gray, oval eggs neatly shingled along twigs and leaf stems, where they overwinter until spring buds emerge.
CamouflagedArborealNocturnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyOak leaves, Fruit tree foliage, Shrub blossoms
Predators
- Songbirds
- Bats
- Praying mantises
ThreatsBroad-spectrum pesticide application, canopy habitat loss, and artificial light pollution
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, forest canopies, orchards, and suburban gardens
Life spanAbout 1 year (overwinters as eggs)
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyTettigoniidae
- GenusMicrocentrum
- SpeciesMicrocentrum retinerve
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Scan deciduous shrubbery and low branches after dark using a flashlight with a red filter.
- Attracting: Check porch lights and illuminated window screens on warm, humid evenings in late summer.
- Handling: Gently allow the insect to walk onto an open hand; never grasp its fragile legs.
Competitor (c) florawhite, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Zach Earl, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) David Hill, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Mystic Meadows
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