Pinksect
This particular species is known as an Oblong-winged katydid or Amblycorypha oblongifolia. While green is by far the most common color; pink, yellow and orange colorings can occur but are far more rare.
The different colour morphs are controlled by alleles – different forms of the same gene that sit in the same location on a pair of chromosomes – and the dominant allele has the ability to mask the recessive allele.
Reference:
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/in-north-american-katydids-green-isne28099t-the-dominant-colour-pink-is/
Photo via reddit
#biodiversity #pinksect #katydid
I've seen green many times, but never any of the others. When my dad was in his teens he got his hands on an x-ray tube and nuked, then crossbred guppies and got all sorts of exotic-colored offspring. I wonder if this would work with katydids...
ReplyDeleteMz Maau #pinkxorgreen
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I don't have these alleles. Although judging by my son's sarcastic comments, I may have a pink recessive one. ;)
ReplyDelete