Rare Pink Katydid Photos

Pink katydids are masters at disguising themselves among pink and red plants

Some types of wildlife need to stand out. The rare pink katydid is proof of that.

First discovered in 1887, TreeHugger argues you'd be more likely to spot a unicorn in the wild than one of these precious hot pink critters, especially given only one in 500 have this fluorescent glow.

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The pink coloring of some katydids is due to erythrism, an unusual reddish pigmentation that can affect the body, skin, feathers, hair or eggshells of the insect. Diet or a genetic mutation are the two causes of the condition.

Related to the crickets and grasshoppers, the two inch-long insects get their name from the 'katy-did' sounds they hymn from late summer to early fall during their prime courtship season, according to the Lake Forest Trib Local.

While you might wonder how long one of these beauties can survive amongst hungry predators, National Geographic explains these creatures are "masters of disguise" and that their pink coloring may be a form of camouflage that helps them blend in with red or pink plants.

Though thousands of katydid species can be found worldwide, only four true katydid species reside in North America, reports Lake Forest Trib Local.

Check out these breathtaking images of this unique pink katydid:

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Can't get enough rare wildlife? Take a look at the incredible images of this unusual albino ruby-throated hummingbird below.

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Comments

[vetxcl]

05:57 PM on 03/09/2012

So seriously, what's their function? To be more noticeable food? To suggest they might be poisonous to potential predators?

[vetxcl]

05:54 PM on 03/09/2012

Umgoshum!! The pink ones do taste the best!!!

[Nirzwan Bandolin]

05:41 PM on 03/08/2012

So freaking awesome!

[valluhree]

04:56 PM on 03/08/2012

I'll tell you why they're rare. They look like obvious buggy bubblegum, all tasty and noticeable.

[Somepplsay]

03:59 PM on 03/08/2012

Very cool, but 1/500 certainly doesn't indicate they are "rare", especially for an insect! Did they mean 500 thousand?

[jhnnxn]

03:09 PM on 03/08/2012

The pink ones make the best bait.

[vetxcl]

05:56 PM on 03/09/2012

Noticed that too eh? Darn, now everyone will be using them.

[Mrs Robinsons]

02:47 PM on 03/08/2012

You would certainly not call this one a
Dannydid.

[Jonah Praveen]

09:46 AM on 03/08/2012

Its paper pink like in the Indian kites

[Barb Hatfield]

08:15 AM on 03/08/2012

If spiders came in pretty pink colors like this, they'd get better press.

[lisafergogo]

11:57 AM on 03/08/2012

There ARE spiders that come in pretty pink colors!

[heerox001]

06:40 AM on 03/08/2012

If the world had pokeballs this bug would have been caught. Good thing there will never be pokeballs so we can all check these rare colored animals out.

[karen lyons kalmenson]

05:09 AM on 03/08/2012

katydid
and katy
tried
ask steely dan
they say
katy lied

[TheAnitQuasar]

12:27 AM on 03/08/2012

That thing is freaking awesome.

[fd909]

09:08 PM on 03/07/2012

Maybe this katydid supports breast cancer survivors and research.

[Barb Hatfield]

08:13 AM on 03/08/2012

Okay, I thought, Katydid for the cure but you beat me to it. LOL