Meet the Giant Katydid in the Magic Mountain

In many zoos, invertebrates are represented by just a few species, but we believe it’s essential to feature them too in order to offer a more balanced view of biodiversity and properly reflect the richness of life. True to our commitment, we invite visitors to discover a colourful world of arthropods, featuring a wide range of insect species. Among them are species that, while they may not rival large mammals like elephants or giraffes in size, are true giants within the insect world.

One such animal is the giant hooded katydid, which is one of the largest representatives of the order Orthoptera. It can reach lengths of up to 13 cm, boast a wingspan of 25 cm, and weigh as much as 30 grams. To put that in perspective, the predatory bush cricket, which is the largest insect in Hungary, rarely grows beyond 7 cm. Notably, there are size differences among giant hooded katydids depending on their age and sex, with females typically growing larger than males.

Despite its size, it is not easy to spot in its natural habitat. This is partly due to its habitat in the dense forests of New Guinea, where it lives high in the canopy, and partly because its green colouring allows it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Nevertheless, the species was first described as early as 1853. French entomologist Émile Blanchard identified it as a new species while processing the insect collection brought back by the French South Seas expedition, led by Jules Dumont d’Urville between 1837 and 1840, for the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.

It was in 2022 that we first welcomed giant hooded katydids to Budapest Zoo. We’ve found that these plant-eaters thrive on a diet of oak, acacia, rose, blackberry, and willow leaves — with a little extra treat of sliced apples, cucumbers, and some pollen. You can meet these giant insects at our Zoo, inside the Magic Mountain hidden within the Great Rock.