Songs of Insects

Lesser Angle-wing (Microcentrum retinerve)

Song of a Lesser Angle-wing (scroll down for explanation and additional recordings!).

Another amazing leaf mimic is the Lesser Angle-wing. Recognized by its brown stridulatory field, this species is smaller than the Greater Angle-wing. It blends in so well that you can be looking straight at one and not see it. Like its cousin, the Lesser Angle-wing usually sings from high in trees. However, males often perch at the ends of branches. Concentrating your efforts there will increase your likelihood of finding one of these extraordinary-looking insects.

Lesser Angle-wing

Song: A brief raspy rattle, usually produced in groups or two or three, with about a second of silence between each call. Each rattle is composed of 3–5 pulses, given just a little too fast to count. The time between song bouts can be very long. The peak frequency is about 8–10 kHz.

 
 
Sonogram of a Lesser Angle-wing. © Wil Hershberger.