The Parktown prawn, also known as the marbled conehead, is a species of insect in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to South Africa and is found in the Johannesburg area, including the suburb of Parktown.
The Parktown prawn is known for its large size, with adults reaching up to 60 millimeters in length, and its distinctive marbled pattern on its head and thorax. It is a nocturnal species and is often attracted to lights at night.
While the Parktown prawn is not considered to be a pest, it can sometimes enter homes and gardens in search of food or shelter.
History
Libanasidus vittatus was unknown within Johannesburg before the 1960s; the first known instance was set up in Barberton in 1899 by William Forsell Kirby. They only came current after the 1960s, when Johannesburg began to expand fleetly in size.
The reason for the increase in the nonentity’s figures is unclear, although they’ve done much more in a civic terrain than in the wild, and it has been suggested that some ecological controlling factor is absent in its suburban niche.
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Classification of the Parktown Prawn
The Parktown prawn is a member of the order Orthoptera, which includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Within the order Orthoptera, the Parktown prawn belongs to the family Tettigoniidae, which is a diverse group of insects commonly known as katydids or bush crickets.
The scientific name for the Parktown prawn is Neoconocephalus triops. The genus Neoconocephalus contains a number of species of katydids, while the species name triops refers specifically to the Parktown prawn.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Family: Anostostomatidae
Genus: Libanasidus
Species: Libanasidus vittatus
Binomial name: Libanasidus vittatus
The Structural Make Up of a Parktown prawn
Like all insects, the Parktown prawn has a segmented body that is divided into three main parts:
- The head
- The thorax
- The abdomen
The head
The head of the Parktown prawn is relatively small and is equipped with a pair of compound eyes, which are capable of detecting light and movement, and a pair of antennae, which are used for sensing the environment.
The mouthparts of the Parktown prawn are adapted for chewing and are located at the front of the head.
The thorax
The thorax is the middle region of the Parktown prawn’s body and is where the legs and wings are attached. The Parktown prawn has three pairs of jointed legs, which are used for walking and jumping.
It also has a pair of wings, which are used for flying. The wings are folded against the thorax when not in use.
The abdomen
The abdomen is the posterior region of the Parktown prawn’s body and is where the digestive, reproductive, and excretory organs are located.
The abdomen is segmented and is flexible, allowing the Parktown prawn to move freely.
Is The Parktown prawn a WETA?
In New Zealand, they’re known as Wetas and fill a variety of ecological niches – conceivably including that of mice, which were absent from the original fauna before humans arrived. The first Parktown prawn was officially discovered in South Africa in 1899 in a small mining city called Barberton, east of Johannesburg.
Parktown Prawns in South Africa
The Parktown prawn (Neoconocephalus triops) is native to South Africa and is found in the Johannesburg area, including the suburb of Parktown, from which it gets its common name. It is a species of katydid or bush cricket and is known for its large size and distinctive marbled pattern on its head and thorax.
The Parktown prawn is a nocturnal species and is often attracted to lights at night. It is not considered to be a pest, but it can sometimes enter homes and gardens in search of food or shelter.
The Parktown Prawn is the African King Cricket
Parktown prawns are actually King Justices – a large family of flightless insects set up across the southern semicircle including South America, Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand, they’re known as Wetas and fill a variety of ecological niches – conceivably including that of mice, which were absent from the original fauna before humans arrived.
The first Parktown prawn was officially discovered in South Africa in 1899 in a small mining city called Barberton, east of Johannesburg. Their spread and rise to fame have in some ways imaged that of Johannesburg, which seems to have come their espoused home, over the intermediating times.
Utmost people only know the common name for one of South Africa’s 90,000 plus insects, of which 60% don’t indeed have a name of any kind. This effectively means they don’t live. It’s like not having an identity book or passport.
Recognization
The Parktown prawn can be recognized by its distinctive appearance, which includes the following characteristics:
- Large size: Adult Parktown prawns can reach up to 60 millimeters in length.
- Marbled pattern: The head and thorax of the Parktown prawn are marked with a distinctive marbled pattern that is unique to this species.
- Long antennae: The Parktown prawn has long whip like antennae that are used for sensing the environment. These antennae are typically longer than the body of the insect.
- Winged: The Parktown prawn has a pair of wings, which are used for flying. The wings are folded against the thorax when not in use.
- Nocturnal: The Parktown prawn is a nocturnal species and is often attracted to lights at night.
- Secretion: King crickets often eject offensive black secretion.
- Chew carpets and fabrics: South African prawns has chew carpets and fabrics.
If you are unsure whether you have spotted a Parktown prawn, you may want to consult a reference book or online resource for more information and images of this insect.
Method to get rid
If you have Parktown prawns (Neoconocephalus triops) in your home or garden and want to get rid of them, there are a few steps you can take:
- Remove sources of food and shelter
- Seal cracks and gaps
- Use a chemical deterrent
- Use a natural deterrent
Remove sources of food and shelter:
Parktown prawns may enter your home or garden in search of food or shelter. To discourage them from entering, remove any sources of food, such as piles of leaves or debris, and eliminate any potential shelter, such as woodpiles or stacked boxes.
Seal cracks and gaps:
Parktown prawns can enter your home through small cracks and gaps in the exterior. Inspect the outside of your home and seal any openings that you find to prevent the prawns from entering.
Use a chemical deterrent:
If you have a severe infestation of Parktown prawns, you may want to use a chemical deterrent to discourage them. There are a number of chemical insecticides that are effective against katydids, including pyrethrin and permethrin. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully when using any chemical insecticide.
Use a natural deterrent:
If you prefer to use a natural method to get rid of Parktown prawns, you can try using essential oils, such as peppermint or eucalyptus, which can deter the prawns. You can also try using sticky traps, which can help to catch and remove the prawns from your home or garden.
It is important to note that it is generally not necessary to take any special precautions to get rid of Parktown prawns, as they are not considered to be a significant pest. If you are concerned about the presence of these insects, you can take the steps listed above to exclude them from your home or garden.
About Parktown Prawns Feed
As an adult, the Parktown prawn feeds on a variety of plants and insects. It is an omnivorous species and will eat both plant material and small insects. The Parktown prawn is a nocturnal species and is often attracted to lights at night. It is not considered to be a pest, but it can sometimes enter homes and gardens in search of food or shelter.
Relation with Human
The Parktown prawns are (Neoconocephalus triops) not considered to be a significant pest, and it generally does not cause any harm to humans. It is a nocturnal species that is often attracted to lights at night and may enter homes or gardens in search of food or shelter. The Parktown prawn feeds on a variety of plants and insects, and it does not transmit any diseases to humans.
In general, the Parktown prawn is not considered to be a nuisance, and it is not necessary to take any special precautions to avoid it. However, if you are concerned about the presence of Parktown prawns in your home or garden, you can take steps to exclude them by sealing any cracks or gaps in your home’s exterior and by removing sources of food and shelter, such as piles of leaves or wood.
Questions?
Why are they called Parktown prawns?
The nonentity gets its English name from the exurb of Parktown in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they’re common. It’s set up throughout Namibia and in the southern champaign and semi-arid regions of Angola. The Parktown prawn is related to the New Zealand tree wētā, which is also in the family Anostostomatidae.
Are Parktown prawns good in the garden?
It might not look like it but the ignominious Parktown prawn( AKA a King Cricket) is on your side. Sure, they are frightening to look at but they are doing a work of good in your veggie theater. They take care of an indeed nastier problem, draggers and slugs.
Do Parktown prawns make noise?
Parktown Prawns produce whizzing sounds by rubbing their hind legs against their tummy when they’re worried.
What kills Parktown prawns?
The only thing I know that could kill a Parktown prawn( as in, actually kill it) was our gigantic Boerboel, Brutus.
