Markia hystrix | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Orthoptera |
Suborder: | Ensifera |
Family: | Tettigoniidae |
Subfamily: | Phaneropterinae |
Genus: | Markia |
Species: | M. hystrix
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Binomial name | |
Markia hystrix (
Westwood, 1844)
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Markia hystrix is a species of katydid in the subfamily Phaneropterinae. It occurs in highlands of western and central Colombia and in southern Panama, up to an altitude of at least 1,800 m (5,900 ft); although sometimes reported from elsewhere, this is due to confusion with other species in the genus Markia, all of which are known as lichen katydids. [1] [2] These highly spiny katydids are very well camouflaged, with colors and patterns that closely resemble the Usnea lichen upon which they live and feed. Adult M. hystrix have a length of about 4.5–5 cm (1.8–2.0 in) and show some variation in color depending on the exact color of the lichen in a region. [2]