Hey kids, Rosco here! Did you know
that I'm not just a katydid, I'm a spiny katydid!
And I'm not just a spiny katydid, I'm a Tickle Bug
spiny katydid. That means that I look a lot like other
spiny katydids, but I'm a little different.
Us spiny katydids come from
the rainforests of Central and South America.
We're pretty big compared to
most insects - usually around 2.5 to 3 inches in length.
Most spiny katydids eat flower
parts, insects and seeds. Me? Flower parts are delicious.
What a treat! Seeds, Mmmm... good. But insects? No
way! Not me. Us Tickle Bugs are VEGAN.
Like other male katydids I
like to sing by rubbing rough areas of my wings together.
The female katydids all gather round to listen to
us. Did you know that my ears are located part way
down my front legs? It helps me to hear all the giggles
when I'm tickling!
Sometimes bats will hear our
singing and try to eat us. That's why we've got these
spikes all over us. We don't like to be eaten. Those
bats are sure surprised when they try! In fact, our
spikes keep us very protected. That's why we spend
our time singing and tickling - because we're safe
and happy!!
The tropical rainforest where we
come from are quickly being chopped down. We really
need help in protecting our forests. Did you know
that you can help save our forests? click
here!