The Sickle-bearing Leaf Katydid, Phaneroptera sparsa, is a widely distributed species of leaf katydid found across Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe, inhabiting tree canopies and dense vegetation. It is a long-winged, light green insect with bright orange eyes and a sickle-shaped ovipositor in females. In the Middle East and parts of the Iberian Peninsula, its presence requires confirmation due to potential confusion with similar species like P. nana.
Size and Color: It is a long-winged insect, appearing light green with many small black spots.
Head: The eyes are bright orange.
Wings: The hindwings are longer than the forewings (tegmina), which cover about three-quarters of the hindwings' length.
Female Ovipositor: Adult females possess a short, broad, and upturned ovipositor that resembles a sickle.
Male Cerci: Adult males have prominent, curved cerci.
Phaneroptera sparsa has a wide distribution, found in Africa, the Middle East (including the Arabian Peninsula and Socotra), and southern Europe.
The species is typically found in tree canopies but also inhabits low bushes and dense riverbank vegetation in open areas.
Terrestrial: Phaneroptera sparsa is a terrestrial insect.
Similar Species: It can be easily confused with similar species, particularly in the Middle East and parts of Europe, such as Phaneroptera nana.
