Records of Copiphora cornuta (A species of Rhinoceros Katydid) feeding

[The Pnigomantis Keeper]

Hi guys! I am an 18-year-old Chinese Orthopteran+Mantodea+Chilopod+Sparassidae hobbyist, as well as an amateur predatory insect taxonomist (I'm best at determining raspy cricket species). I've lived in China for pretty much my whole life, and I have been active on other Chinese bug-keeping forums, and this is my first time here. I've kept over 50 predatory bug species, and most of them are usually exclusive to Chinese hobbyists.

I would like to show y'all one of my favorites today - Copiphora cornuta. Copiphora cornuta is a close relative of Copiphora rhinoceros, another species of predatory katydid that appeared on "Bug Wars", fighting a giant caterpillar as his opponent. These species of katydid are actually omnivorous, favoring fresh prey and fruits for their diet. Copiphora cornuta is one of the largest species in the Copiphora genus. I've fed them crickets, locusts, spider legs, apples, carrots, ... almost anything you could think of. They pretty much have the diet range of a garbage can.

The Chinese hobbyists have somehow found a way and established very successful breeding cycles for this species, and the prices dropped like crazy. The one I got (65mm, which is absolutely HUGE for a male) was only 280 rmb (around $40). I know, it's crazy.

Here's the vid from my channel -

The video includes my Copiphora killing a cricket and chewing on some fruits & a huntsman spider's leg,
(I couldn't bother uploading a file since it takes way too long, so sorry for the shameless plug)

And here's a nice photo:

Enjoy!

If y'all are liking what you are seeing, I'm more than happy to post more Katydid content, as well as to introduce y'all to some amazing species.

If y'all would like to see more, I'll post some vid and pics of Eugryllacris guomashan (the largest raspy cricket native to China) tomorrow.

 

[ItalianTermiteMan]

I saw tons of large Copiphora just like these in southern Nicaragua, peculiar critters for sure!

 

[The Pnigomantis Keeper]

I saw tons of large Copiphora just like these in southern Nicaragua, peculiar critters for sure!

Too bad they're illegal to keep in the US (I think that's the case for basically all foreign orthopterans?)... Many people I know have already cracked the code and succeeded in breeding this species with more than 60% of the nymphs reaching adulthood. They have really fun and feisty personalities too (would try to bite your finger any day of the week)! It's a shame that it'll take a very long time for hobbyists in the US to actually have them as wonderful pets.

 

[paumotu]

Too bad they're illegal to keep in the US (I think that's the case for basically all foreign orthopterans?)... Many people I know have already cracked the code and succeeded in breeding this species with more than 60% of the nymphs reaching adulthood. They have really fun and feisty personalities too (would try to bite your finger any day of the week)! It's a shame that it'll take a very long time for hobbyists in the US to actually have them as wonderful pets.

also 18 year old keeper, from USA. A few people have been keeping some peruvian katydid species, (vestria, moncheca, eurymetopa) etc in the US. Copiphora sp as well, but I believe in the us they might be gracilis, not cornuta. To my knowledge cornuta and rhinoceros are bred in Europe. I'd love to collect more species. The gracilis are exactly the same as your description of cornuta, feisty, bitey, and eat just about anything. My group is all females I believe, unless my last two unsexed turn out to be male, but I doubt they will, I think I can already see the ovipositor protruding. In China do you find to have far more females than males?

 

[The Pnigomantis Keeper]

also 18 year old keeper, from USA. A few people have been keeping some peruvian katydid species, (vestria, moncheca, eurymetopa) etc in the US. Copiphora sp as well, but I believe in the us they might be gracilis, not cornuta. To my knowledge cornuta and rhinoceros are bred in Europe. I'd love to collect more species. The gracilis are exactly the same as your description of cornuta, feisty, bitey, and eat just about anything. My group is all females I believe, unless my last two unsexed turn out to be male, but I doubt they will, I think I can already see the ovipositor protruding. In China do you find to have far more females than males?

Good to hear about all these wonderful South American katydid species in the US! Vestria, moncheca, eurymetopa, and other katydids such as Saga are also starting to become mainstream in China. In China, I do think that there are more cornuta males than females. There's a 5 times price difference between the two sexes, and males appear on the market much more (or just because females are better pets and are on sale less often).

And just to ask, where did you get your South American katydids? I would love to know a way to get them since I'll be moving to Massachusetts in a few days haha. Thanks a lot!

just a note - that's a very cute baby gracilis you've got there

 

[paumotu]

Good to hear about all these wonderful South American katydid species in the US! Vestria, moncheca, eurymetopa, and other katydids such as Saga are also starting to become mainstream in China. In China, I do think that there are more cornuta males than females. There's a 5 times price difference between the two sexes, and males appear on the market much more (or just because females are better pets and are on sale less often).

And just to ask, where did you get your South American katydids? I would love to know a way to get them since I'll be moving to Massachusetts in a few days haha. Thanks a lot!

pm me and we can have a discussion