Need help identifying giant Grasshopper/Katydid

[HyprNekoStorm]

I found this giant grasshopper/katydid on my window. He's at least 2 inches long and just the biggest one I have ever seen! Does anyone know what this is?

 

[Shade of Eclipse]

Maybe Schistocerca americana?

 

[Stag Beetles]

Yep, agree with Shade of Eclipse

 

[Ratmosphere]

Looks like a good meal for my Scolopendra galapagoensis.

Just kidding. Good find though man!

 

[HyprNekoStorm]

Looks like a good meal for my Scolopendra galapagoensis.

Just kidding. Good find though man!

Thanks! You have to see it in person to realize how big it is!

 

[Goliathus]

Agreed - Schistocerca americana. For a US species, it's quite large. Of course, there are much bigger tropical grasshoppers such as Tropidacris cristata that are the length of your hand, and have wingspans of up to 8 inches -

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7253/7463506030_1fcda6face_b.jpg

Katydids can be even more massive. The giant helmeted katydid (Siliquofera grandis) is probably the largest flying orthopteran (very bulky, and a wingspan of 10 inches) -

http://www.wildborneo.com.my/images/cld1414039.jpg

 

[Stag Beetles]

The giant helmeted katydid (Siliquofera grandis) is probably the largest flying orthopteran (very bulky, and a wingspan of 10 inches) -

That has now reached first place on my wish list. Does anyone know of a person who sells Siliquofera grandis?!?!?!?!?!? I can try to build an aviary for it...

 

[Goliathus]

That has now reached first place on my wish list. Does anyone know of a person who sells Siliquofera grandis?!?!?!?!?!? I can try to build an aviary for it...

I've never heard of this species being kept in captivity, but it has a rather wide range, being found from New Guinea to Borneo to Malaysia. Breeding it in captivity would certainly be a notable achievement. Pseudophyllus titan (Thailand) is another very large tropical katydid -

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3766/10623614646_8521a33d31_b.jpg

Also, the Giant Long-legged Katydid (Macrolyristes corporalis), from Malaysia -

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChMUezsU8AQLrmN.jpg

 

[stagtacus]

Nice !!!

Wish i could take one to the 2017 taipei insect show

 

[Stardawg]

That is one big hopper! Where are these found ? As in what terrain or environment

 

[AlexW]

Where are these found ? As in what terrain or environment

The one in the first 2 pics, or the ones in Goliathus's blue links?

The ones in the blue links are all exotic species and may be illegal, depending on what country you are in.

 

[aspenentomology]

Agreed - Schistocerca americana. For a US species, it's quite large. Of course, there are much bigger tropical grasshoppers such as Tropidacris cristata that are the length of your hand, and have wingspans of up to 8 inches -

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7253/7463506030_1fcda6face_b.jpg

Katydids can be even more massive. The giant helmeted katydid (Siliquofera grandis) is probably the largest flying orthopteran (very bulky, and a wingspan of 10 inches) -

http://www.wildborneo.com.my/images/cld1414039.jpg

I remember many large Orthopterans every where when I went to Belize a few years ago. Unfortunately, I was a lot younger and not as into entomology as I am now, so I think of it as sort of a wasted trip...