Songs of Insects

Greater Angle-wing (Microcentrum rhombifolium)

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

Astunning leaf mimic that has to be seen to be appreciated, the Greater Angle-wing can be identified by its green stridulatory field (the Lesser Angle-wing has a brown field). The intricate pattern of veins on the wings perfectly imitate the appearance of a leaf. This species is difficult to collect because it perches in the tops of trees and tall bushes. Sometimes, however, one can be found low enough to catch. May be very common in rural backyards, where its high-pitched ticks betray its presence.

Greater Angle-wing

Song: The male gives two types of sounds. The first, his song, is a rapid series of high-pitched ticks getting more rapid toward the end of the song. This song lasts several seconds and causes receptive females to approach the singing male. A second call type is a single, staccato dzt! (pitched at around 9 kHz) that may be given every few seconds. It is believed that this call is an aggressive signal to near-by males that they have strayed too close to another male and should move away.

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