Perhaps a katydid?
Here’s a handsome fellow I spotted on the sunflowers we’ve been growing for Bella.

I’m guessing this is a katydid (or easier to think of them as a ”leaf insect”, I think, although that’s probably not their name.) It seems to have lost a leg as well. And no, it wasn’t me that did it.
This one was only about 4 cm long – I’ve seen others larger. I don’t seem to spot them that often: I don’t know whether it’s because they are rare, or more likely that they are just hard to spot.

Sabel
16 July 2005, 09:03 #
To whom it may concern, that is indeed a version of katydid.I myself caught 11 of them teo days ago, and are now keeping them in a small but humble terarium in my room.Very docile little fellows, I like them a lot.
I at first thought they were rare, but I think it’s more that they are difficult to find…they look exactly like leafs.
And it’s common to find one missing a leg, a few of mine are like that.
Just thought i’d let you know, toodles.
-Sabel
Alan
17 July 2005, 10:24 #
Thanks.
I’ve seen quite a few more of these in the intervening two years. But not as many as there probably are lurking around though.
Crystel
3 October 2006, 02:16 #
Hello, I believe I have caught one of these except mine has more of a yellow color. It is very cute. Do they come in yellow?
Alan
3 October 2006, 19:42 #
I don’t know – the ones we have here in New Zealand seem to be green only.
Yours may be different…