Community Corner

Forest Preserve Employee Finds Rare Pink Katydid

Allison Frederick saw the rare insect at Middlefork Savanna.

Ever seen a pink katydid?

Allison Frederick saw the rare insect while hiking recently at Middlefork Savanna near Lake Forest. 

"First discovered back in 1887, the pink katydid is so rare that they occur once out of every 500 (katydids)," said Frederick, environmental communications specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. Katydids, Frederick said, are typically green, large and leaf-shaped.

"Their green skin makes them somewhat hard to find for insect-chowing predators. But the pink ones are not afforded the same luxury," said Frederick. "This (pink) coloration is the result of a condition call erythrism, similar to the recessive gene that afflicts albino animals."


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