Erythropogon ichneumoniformis - a most appropriate species name. A female - the male apparently has the thorax blacker and the white spots on the fourth abdominal segment are barely discernable. Body length approximately 15mm.

In the peak of the top end dry season. A mantis crashed into the spotlight of my parked vehicle and fell on the ground, stunned. The katydid immediately arrived and began eating it. This is a dried up creek bed and the nearby vegetation is extremely dry - perhaps the katydid desperately needed the moisture. Bowerbird.org.au sighting being moved to iNaturalist as the former website is shutting down.

Sighting and photos (c) arisc.
Field Notes - So, I only saw one of these, but my friend told me there were heaps of them in a nearby park... however I’m surprised if they’re so common because I couldn’t find any reference to these in my research, except for a type from California, USA.... could this be a recently invasive species, or are my souces just bad? Anyway, specific details of this sighting: bug was on some roadside debris, and appeared to be gathering somethibg too small for me to see (something it eats?), and seemed to be quite alone (I only saw one).

Both upper and underside is Orange toned. The upperside also has a strikingly bright orange band around the outer rim (Is far brighter than the photos show). Handling this fungi leaves a turmeric-like colour on your fingers.

Texture was sightly fleshy/moist.

A Sample will be lodged in cairns JCU herbarium. Code: OAM1.