Leaf-mimicry
Guides
Amblycorypha
Round-headed Katydids, False Katydids, Bush-crickets
Amblycorypha is a genus of North American round-headed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing approximately 14 described species. These insects are renowned for their exceptional leaf-mimicry, with wing venation closely matching the vein patterns of leaves. They are known for their acoustic communication, with males producing songs via stridulation to attract females. Some species reach prodigious sizes in tropical regions, and males provide nuptial gifts to females during mating.
Amblycorypha alexanderi
Clicker Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha alexanderi, commonly known as the clicker round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Walker in 2003 and is native to North America. The species belongs to a genus known for remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage and acoustic communication through stridulation.
Amblycorypha bartrami
Bartram's round-winged katydid
Amblycorypha bartrami, commonly known as Bartram's round-winged katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was described by Walker in 2003 and is found in North America. As a member of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group known for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage and acoustic communication through stridulation.
Amblycorypha cajuni
Cajun round-headed katydid
Amblycorypha cajuni is a species of round-headed katydid (bush-cricket) in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. Like other members of its genus, it possesses remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage with wing venation that closely resembles leaf veins. The species is known from the Gulf Coast region of the United States, specifically Louisiana and Mississippi. As with related Amblycorypha species, males produce courtship songs using stridulatory organs on their forewings, and females detect these songs through tympanal organs located on their forelegs.
Amblycorypha huasteca
Texas false katydid
Amblycorypha huasteca, commonly known as the Texas false katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, a group renowned for exceptional leaf-mimicry. The species occurs in the south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other Amblycorypha, it produces species-specific songs through stridulation of forewing structures to attract mates.
Amblycorypha longinicta
Common Virtuoso Katydid
Amblycorypha longinicta, commonly known as the Common Virtuoso Katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. Described by Walker in 2004, this species belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, which is distributed across North America and tropical Central America. Like other members of this genus, it exhibits remarkable leaf-mimicry through wing venation patterns that match leaf veins, providing effective camouflage against predators. The species is known to inhabit forested environments where its cryptic appearance allows it to blend seamlessly with vegetation.
Amblycorypha oblongifolia
oblong-winged katydid
Amblycorypha oblongifolia, commonly known as the oblong-winged katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. The species is notable for exhibiting unusual color polymorphism, with individuals occurring in green, tan, pink, or rare dark tan/orange morphs. These color variants are genetically determined and present from birth, not influenced by sex, age, or environment. Green is the most common morph, while pink and tan are rare, and dark tan or orange is very rare. The species is found throughout the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Amblycorypha parvipennis
Western Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha parvipennis, the western round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri. Males produce calling songs for acoustic communication, a key feature of their mating behavior. The species exhibits typical katydid traits including leaf-mimicking wing venation and sound production via forewing stridulation.
Amblycorypha rivograndis
Rio Grande Valley False Katydid
Amblycorypha rivograndis is a species of round-headed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Thomas J. Walker in 2004. The specific epithet "rivograndis" refers to the Rio Grande Valley, indicating its geographic association with this region of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group commonly known as false katydids or bush-crickets, recognized for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage.
Amblycorypha rotundifolia
rattler round-winged katydid, Round-winged Katydids
Amblycorypha rotundifolia, commonly known as the rattler round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species is characterized by its rounded wings with venation that closely resembles leaf veins, providing effective camouflage. It belongs to a genus of katydids known for their acoustic communication and cryptic morphology. The species has been documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), which paralyzes katydids to provision its underground nests.
Amblycorypha uhleri
Uhler's virtuoso katydid, Uhler's katydid
Amblycorypha uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's virtuoso katydid or Uhler's katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a North American species known for its distinctive song produced by stridulation of the forewings. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it exhibits remarkable leaf-mimicry through wing venation patterns and green coloration, serving as camouflage against predators.
Anaea aidea
Tropical Leafwing
Anaea aidea, commonly known as the tropical leafwing, is a brush-footed butterfly in the subfamily Charaxinae. It occurs from Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica, with occasional strays reaching the southern United States. The species has a wingspan of 57–78 mm and is recognized for its leaf-like wing appearance. Some taxonomic treatments consider it a subspecies of Anaea troglodyta.
Automeris
Eyed Silkmoths, Io Moths
Automeris is a large genus of silkmoths (Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) comprising approximately 145 described species distributed from eastern North America to Peru. Adults exhibit crypsis through leaf-mimicking forewings, while concealed hindwings bear conspicuous eyespots used in startle displays against predators. Larvae possess venom-bearing urticating spines that cause painful stings to humans and other animals. The genus is paraphyletic, with the genera Leucanella and Pseudautomeris nested within it.
Fulgoroidea
planthoppers
Fulgoroidea is a superfamily of planthoppers within the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, comprising over 12,500 described species worldwide. These insects are characterized by their remarkable resemblance to leaves and other plant materials, and their tendency to hop for quick transportation while walking slowly to avoid detection. All members are plant-feeders, though relatively few are considered agricultural pests. The superfamily includes economically significant families such as Flatidae and Derbidae, as well as the lanternfly family Fulgoridae.
Hypna
jazzy leafwing, marbled leafwing, silver-studded leafwing
Hypna is a monotypic butterfly genus in the family Nymphalidae, containing only Hypna clytemnestra. The species is the largest member of the tribe Anaeini and is known for its striking leaf-mimicry. The common names jazzy leafwing, marbled leafwing, and silver-studded leafwing refer to this single species. It is considered uncommon across its range.
Nemoria rubrifrontaria
red-fronted emerald
Nemoria rubrifrontaria, commonly known as the red-fronted emerald, is a geometrid moth species described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1873. The species is distinguished by its pink eggs and leaf-mimicking larvae that develop through five instars. It has been documented in association with sweet fern (Myrica aspleniifolia) in Michigan, with eggs detected on foliage in June.
Nymphalis californica
California Tortoiseshell, Cal Tortie
The California Tortoiseshell is a medium-sized brushfoot butterfly known for its mass migration events that can occur at irregular intervals. Adults overwinter and may be seen sunning on mild winter days. The species is notable for its seasonal altitudinal migration pattern and its ability to defoliate stands of Ceanothus host plants during population outbreaks.
Phyllodesma
Phyllodesma is a Holarctic genus of lappet moths in the family Lasiocampidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1820. The genus comprises approximately 17 recognized species distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Species in this genus are generally associated with broadleaf host plants, though specific associations vary by species. The genus is characterized by adult moths with cryptic, leaf-like wing patterns that provide camouflage against vegetation.
Pseudophyllinae
True Katydids
Pseudophyllinae is a large subfamily of katydids (Tettigoniidae) distinguished by exceptional leaf-mimicry. Members typically possess broad, flattened forewings with venation patterns that replicate leaf veins, blotches, and even simulated herbivore damage. The group contains over 20 tribes distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with major radiations in the Neotropics, Afrotropics, and Southeast Asia. Many species are nocturnal and arboreal, inhabiting forest canopies where their crypsis provides effective predator avoidance.
Selenia kentaria
Kent's Geometer Moth, Kent's thorn, Kent's geometer
Selenia kentaria is a geometrid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults are active from March through August and possess wingspans of 32–52 mm. The species exhibits remarkable crypsis: adults mimic wilted leaves, while larvae resemble twigs. Larvae feed on several hardwood tree genera including Betula and Prunus.
Smerinthus
Eyed Hawkmoths
Smerinthus is a Holarctic genus of hawkmoths in the family Sphingidae, containing approximately 12 recognized species. Adults are characterized by prominent eyespots on the hindwings and forewing patterns that resemble dried leaves. Adults possess reduced or absent mouthparts and do not feed. Larvae feed on a variety of host plants in the families Salicaceae and possibly others.
Tetrigidae
pygmy grasshoppers, groundhoppers, pygmy devils, grouse locusts
Tetrigidae is an ancient family of minute orthopterans with over 2,000 described species and a fossil record extending more than 230 million years. Members are characterized by an elongated pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen, often reaching the wing tips. The family exhibits exceptional morphological diversity, particularly in tropical regions where species display elaborate pronotal modifications including leaf mimicry, spines, and horns. Despite their ancient lineage and species richness, Tetrigidae remain among the most understudied orthopteran families.
Tettigoniidae
katydids, bush crickets, long-horned grasshoppers
Tettigoniidae is a large family of orthopteran insects containing over 8,000 described species, commonly known as katydids in North America and bush crickets in the United Kingdom. The family is the only extant member of the superfamily Tettigonioidea within the suborder Ensifera. Members are characterized by extremely long, thread-like antennae that often exceed body length, distinguishing them from true grasshoppers. The family exhibits remarkable diversity in size, ranging from 5 mm to 130 mm, and occupies varied habitats from tropical rainforests to temperate grasslands across all continents except Antarctica.