# Lesser Anglewing (*Microcentrum retinerve*) The Lesser Anglewing is a small, green cricket that loves to hide among leaves. They make a soft chirping sound at night, which is their way of singing to each other. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Lesser Anglewing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lesser_Anglewing_-_Microcentrum_retinerve%252C_Watkins_Regional_Park%252C_Upper_Marlboro%252C_Maryland_%2824596807887%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lesser_Anglewing_-_Microcentrum_retinerve%252C_Watkins_Regional_Park%252C_Upper_Marlboro%252C_Maryland_%2824596807887%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Lesser Anglewing has broad, flattened, green wings that are angled and textured to perfectly mimic a leaf. Its long, slender antennae are much longer than its body, which is typically pale green or greenish-brown. This superb natural disguise makes it very hard to spot among foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Tettigoniidae - **Genus:** Microcentrum ## Interesting facts - Female Lesser Anglewings lay their tiny eggs safely inside the tissues of plants. - Some Anglewings can live for over a year, spending most of their life hidden in trees. - Their ears are not on their head, but on their front legs, just below the knee! - They have powerful chewing mouthparts to munch through tough plant leaves and stems. ## Special abilities - **Master of Disguise:** Lesser Anglewing has broad, leaf-like wings that perfectly mimic green foliage, helping them hide from sharp-eyed predators. - **Nature's Musician:** Lesser Anglewing can "sing" by rubbing its specialized wings together, creating calls to attract mates in the night. - **Sonic Defender:** Lesser Anglewing can produce a loud, sudden "snapping" sound with its wings to startle and deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-120 mm - **Size:** 40-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-120 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They mainly eat leaves and plant parts, helping to break down vegetation in their habitat. - **Primary Foods:** leaves, soft stems, flowers, bark - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — A common food source for various insectivorous birds. - **Eaten by:** [Big Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-brown-bat) (*Eptesicus fuscus*) — Hunted at night using echolocation while flying or perched. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Feeds on its leaves and finds shelter among its branches. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Crickets are harmless and fun to watch, but it's best to leave them in their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lesser Anglewing? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Lesser Anglewing's wingspan? 80-120 mm ### How big is Lesser Anglewing? 40-60 mm ### How long does Lesser Anglewing live? 60-120 days ### What does Lesser Anglewing eat? They mainly eat leaves and plant parts, helping to break down vegetation in their habitat. ### Where is Lesser Anglewing usually found? Forests ### How does Lesser Anglewing hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Lesser Anglewing have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Locust Grove State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/locust-grove-state-historic-site) — Louisiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Coker Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coker-arboretum-north-carolina) — North Carolina, US · Zoo - [Downtown Seymour Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-seymour-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [North Carolina Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-carolina-botanical-garden) — North Carolina, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Lesser Anglewing](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lesser-anglewing) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Lesser Anglewing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-anglewing)