Scimyst
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Discoveries
    • All
    • 1001 Mysteries
    • Aliens & UFOs
    • Animal World
    • Archaeology
    • Biology
    • Doomsday
    • Famous Landmarks
    • History
    • Mars Exploration
    • Military Science
    • Oceanography
    • Science Q&A
    • Scientific Discoveries
    • Space Science
    • Why
    • World Figures
    • World Wonders
    thanh pho trang 650

    The Lost City of 500 Years Containing Flesh-Eating Parasites

    the ancient buddha statue for women is very beautiful but extremely vivid 119168

    Chilling Ancient Punishments for Women with Beautiful but Bloodied Names

    creating the worlds first plasma lamp not using a wire just throw it away 133669

    Creating the world’s most durable plasma lamp that doesn’t “take a break” after a few days of use

    which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world every year 136695

    Which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world, “experiencing” the most super typhoons each year?

    strange spc exoplanet

    10 Most Strange Things of the Universe

    thuan tay trai 650

    Left-Handed People and 16 “Shocking” Facts

    cham do ben khoe mieng 650

    The Secret of the Two Red Dots at the Corner of the Mouth of the Tang Dynasty Concubine

    tinh van con cua 650

    Revealing Unseen Images of the Crab Nebula through the James Webb Space Telescope

    cau hon o phap 650

    Banning Bathing, Forcing Tears, and Strange Wedding Customs Around the World

  • Events
    • All
    • Science Stories
    • Scientific Projects

    Tonight announces the Ig Nobel Prize winners

    frog

    Frog Wins Ig Nobel Prize 2005

    canhcutIg

    Life is Not Lacking in Quirks

    Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005: A Modern Fairy Tale

    10 Weird Inventions Awarded the Ig Nobel Prize 2005

    nobelKT

    Why Did They Win the Nobel Prize in Economics?

    giaydientu

    “Electronic Paper” Set to Appear on the Market

    Development of Science and Technology in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Provinces

    a russian scientist loves vietnam 1659

    A Russian Scientist Who Loves Vietnam

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Environment
    • Medicine & Health
    tdnong

    Global warming may be the cause of major storms

    traxanh1

    Green tea has effects against dementia

    Discovery of Cancer-Preventing Genes in the Human Body

    Khachdulich Indonesia

    Avian influenza harms tourism more than terrorism

    nao

    Lying – A Disease of People with Brain Defects

    cafe

    Coffee May Prevent Cancer

    tebaocum

    Recreating the ‘Death’ Flu Virus of 1918

    Indo ban

    The whole world unites to fight avian influenza

    HIV aids

    The Mystery of AIDS Epidemic

  • Technology
    • All
    • AI - Artificial Intelligence
    • Computer Science
    • New Technology
    • Scientific Inventions
    top apps explore space solar system on pc 98000

    Top Applications for Exploring the Universe and Solar System on PC

    vai dien tu 650

    Soon there will be data-transmitting clothing

    sua loi khong vao dc coc coc 650

    Why can’t Cốc Cốc download videos to the computer?

    may tinh cu 1

    17 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer

    play free games super fun on android devices 54708

    Play Extremely Fun Free Games on Android Devices

    top 10 best weather apps on android 98127

    Top 10 Best Astronomy Apps on Android

    how to charge iphone properly 122474

    How to Charge an iPhone the Right Way

    do not scan qr code finger 122198

    Don’t Scan QR Codes Randomly

    sensor technology for measuring oxygen in blood 120461

    Light-Emitting Sensor Technology Can Measure Blood Oxygen

  • Cultural Heritage
    ai cap 650

    The Ruins of Memphis & the Pyramid Complex from Giza to Dahshur – Egypt

    khao co 650

    Prehistoric Archaeological Sites in the Dordogne Valley and Caves in the Vézère Valley – France

    baroque churches philippines 67188

    Baroque Churches – Philippines

    mont saint michel france 67265

    Mont Saint Michel Island – France

    acropolis bracelet in athens greece 67621

    Acropolis Fortress in Athens – Greece

    language mo tan thuy hoang china 67087

    Tomb of Qin Shi Huang – China

    historical city ayutthaya 67804

    Historical City of Ayutthaya

    mesa verde national park 67201

    Mesa Verde National Park – United States of America

    to the taj mahal india 67153

    Taj Mahal Temple – India

  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Photo Library
    • Videos

    Honesty

    Telephone

    Advanced Technology

    Terminal Illness

    Allergy

    Love Like Mars

    Super Definition

    Coi Sách

    Selling Candy

No Result
View All Result
Scimyst
  • Home
  • Discoveries
    • All
    • 1001 Mysteries
    • Aliens & UFOs
    • Animal World
    • Archaeology
    • Biology
    • Doomsday
    • Famous Landmarks
    • History
    • Mars Exploration
    • Military Science
    • Oceanography
    • Science Q&A
    • Scientific Discoveries
    • Space Science
    • Why
    • World Figures
    • World Wonders
    thanh pho trang 650

    The Lost City of 500 Years Containing Flesh-Eating Parasites

    the ancient buddha statue for women is very beautiful but extremely vivid 119168

    Chilling Ancient Punishments for Women with Beautiful but Bloodied Names

    creating the worlds first plasma lamp not using a wire just throw it away 133669

    Creating the world’s most durable plasma lamp that doesn’t “take a break” after a few days of use

    which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world every year 136695

    Which country suffers the most natural disasters in the world, “experiencing” the most super typhoons each year?

    strange spc exoplanet

    10 Most Strange Things of the Universe

    thuan tay trai 650

    Left-Handed People and 16 “Shocking” Facts

    cham do ben khoe mieng 650

    The Secret of the Two Red Dots at the Corner of the Mouth of the Tang Dynasty Concubine

    tinh van con cua 650

    Revealing Unseen Images of the Crab Nebula through the James Webb Space Telescope

    cau hon o phap 650

    Banning Bathing, Forcing Tears, and Strange Wedding Customs Around the World

  • Events
    • All
    • Science Stories
    • Scientific Projects

    Tonight announces the Ig Nobel Prize winners

    frog

    Frog Wins Ig Nobel Prize 2005

    canhcutIg

    Life is Not Lacking in Quirks

    Nobel Prize in Medicine 2005: A Modern Fairy Tale

    10 Weird Inventions Awarded the Ig Nobel Prize 2005

    nobelKT

    Why Did They Win the Nobel Prize in Economics?

    giaydientu

    “Electronic Paper” Set to Appear on the Market

    Development of Science and Technology in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Provinces

    a russian scientist loves vietnam 1659

    A Russian Scientist Who Loves Vietnam

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Environment
    • Medicine & Health
    tdnong

    Global warming may be the cause of major storms

    traxanh1

    Green tea has effects against dementia

    Discovery of Cancer-Preventing Genes in the Human Body

    Khachdulich Indonesia

    Avian influenza harms tourism more than terrorism

    nao

    Lying – A Disease of People with Brain Defects

    cafe

    Coffee May Prevent Cancer

    tebaocum

    Recreating the ‘Death’ Flu Virus of 1918

    Indo ban

    The whole world unites to fight avian influenza

    HIV aids

    The Mystery of AIDS Epidemic

  • Technology
    • All
    • AI - Artificial Intelligence
    • Computer Science
    • New Technology
    • Scientific Inventions
    top apps explore space solar system on pc 98000

    Top Applications for Exploring the Universe and Solar System on PC

    vai dien tu 650

    Soon there will be data-transmitting clothing

    sua loi khong vao dc coc coc 650

    Why can’t Cốc Cốc download videos to the computer?

    may tinh cu 1

    17 Things You Can Do with an Old Computer

    play free games super fun on android devices 54708

    Play Extremely Fun Free Games on Android Devices

    top 10 best weather apps on android 98127

    Top 10 Best Astronomy Apps on Android

    how to charge iphone properly 122474

    How to Charge an iPhone the Right Way

    do not scan qr code finger 122198

    Don’t Scan QR Codes Randomly

    sensor technology for measuring oxygen in blood 120461

    Light-Emitting Sensor Technology Can Measure Blood Oxygen

  • Cultural Heritage
    ai cap 650

    The Ruins of Memphis & the Pyramid Complex from Giza to Dahshur – Egypt

    khao co 650

    Prehistoric Archaeological Sites in the Dordogne Valley and Caves in the Vézère Valley – France

    baroque churches philippines 67188

    Baroque Churches – Philippines

    mont saint michel france 67265

    Mont Saint Michel Island – France

    acropolis bracelet in athens greece 67621

    Acropolis Fortress in Athens – Greece

    language mo tan thuy hoang china 67087

    Tomb of Qin Shi Huang – China

    historical city ayutthaya 67804

    Historical City of Ayutthaya

    mesa verde national park 67201

    Mesa Verde National Park – United States of America

    to the taj mahal india 67153

    Taj Mahal Temple – India

  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Photo Library
    • Videos

    Honesty

    Telephone

    Advanced Technology

    Terminal Illness

    Allergy

    Love Like Mars

    Super Definition

    Coi Sách

    Selling Candy

No Result
View All Result
Scimyst
No Result
View All Result
Home Discoveries Biology Bacteria & Insects

Armored Creatures in Africa: Spitting Blood to Attack Enemies but Becoming Delicious Prey for Their Own Kind

by Sci
August 28, 2024
in Bacteria & Insects
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This armored creature in Africa has 5 defense mechanisms against enemies. One of these becomes their fatal flaw.

Africa is home to a plethora of strange and unique animal species. They differ in shape, biological characteristics, and survival strategies. Among them is the African Armored Cricket (scientific name: Acanthoplus discoidalis).

The external "armor" of the African giant cricket.
The external “armor” of the African giant cricket.

True to their name, this large cricket species has a body length of 5 cm, with sharp, small spines on its thorax and legs, as well as strong biting jaws. They have the ability to spray blood if attacked. Males can also produce loud, piercing sounds by rubbing body parts together in a behavior called stridulation.

Acanthoplus discoidalis has several names, including armored bush cricket, armored ground cricket, armored katydid, corn cricket, setotojane, and koringkrieke.

This insect species originates from the bush of Africa and is widely distributed across Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

The menacing appearance of the African armored cricket.
The menacing appearance of the African armored cricket. (Photo: Adobe Stock).

African armored crickets can come in various colors, but the species we commonly see tends to be brown to olive green. Their thorax and legs are adorned with sharp spines, which contribute to their name as armored crickets.

These crickets are classified as pests in Africa—they feed on millet and sorghum. In Namibia (a country in southern Africa), armored crickets are considered a frightening wild animal because they can cause crop damage when populations peak from March to May each year.

Armored crickets destroying crops in Africa.
Armored crickets destroying crops in Africa. (Photo: Sonia Soma via Wikimedia Commons).

Farmers in Siavonga (Zambia) lost 70-100% of their crops in 2022 due to destruction by armored crickets. Affected crops included sorghum, millet, pumpkins, black-eyed peas, and cucumbers.

5 Elite Defense Mechanisms of the African Armored Cricket

Since armored crickets are a tasty meal for various predators, they have evolved to possess a series of remarkable defense mechanisms.

These strategies can be selectively deployed depending on gender to counter different threats.

When threatened, the armored cricket "activates" 5 defense modes.
When threatened, the armored cricket “activates” 5 defense modes. (Photo: RUDIBOS BOUER via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS).

  • The first line of defense for the armored cricket is its hard “armor,” which protects it from predators. In addition to the armor, the thorax is covered with sharp spines.
  • The second line of defense comes from its strong jaws and a bite powerful enough to draw blood. Both males and females will attempt to bite if attacked.
  • The third line of defense is a characteristic unique to male armored crickets. Males can produce loud, piercing noises by rubbing their body parts together (known as stridulation). When attacked from the side, males will stridulate to scare off predators or to signal.
  • The fourth line of defense is blood spraying. If their “armored” exoskeleton, sharp spines, strong jaws, and loud noises fail to deter a predator, armored crickets will spray blood (insect blood, which is hemolymph) from joints in their exoskeleton. The blood is pale lemon-yellow, has a pungent and unpleasant odor, and can be sprayed up to 6 cm away.
  • The fifth line of defense. If all else fails and does not deter the predator, they will vomit. Armored crickets will regurgitate the food in their stomachs, coating their bodies with the vomit. This vomit has an unpleasant odor that may drive predators away.

The Fatal Flaw of the African Armored Cricket

Despite possessing 5 layered defense mechanisms—activated for different dangerous situations—one of these defenses can ultimately kill them. That is the fourth line of defense – Blood Spraying. This is a fatal flaw for the cricket when it just escapes from one danger only to encounter another.

As an omnivore (eating both meat and plants), when lacking salt and protein, they will resort to cannibalism.
As an omnivore (eating both meat and plants), when lacking salt and protein, armored crickets will resort to cannibalism.

African armored crickets are cannibals. When a cricket sprays blood to deter another predator, its blood-covered body then attracts significant attention from other armored crickets. These crickets think that the one that sprayed blood is injured and will attempt to eat it.

Armored crickets resort to cannibalism when they lack protein and salt in their diets, while other crickets provide a good source of these nutrients.

  • Crickets and Interesting Facts You May Not Know
  • Seeing a Goat Walking on Two Legs, Owner Takes Out Phone to Record; What Happens Next is Chilling
  • Video: Wild Goat Charges a Leopard to Save Its Young
Tags: African metal-wrapped cricketsmetal-wrapped creatures in Africametal-wrapped grasshoppersstrange insectswith crickets
Next Post
why emperor trung hoa project sung mac suong but lived over 40 years 128841

Why did Chinese emperors, despite living in luxury, mostly not live beyond 40 years old?

the magic stick goes to 100 years 1 cold spray 1 hot end very 136447

The "Eerie" Century-Old Pipe: One End Cold Spray, One End Scalding Hot

pharaoh ai capt achenaten bi ai nam ai nu 20015

Pharaoh of Egypt Akhenaten was bisexual

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FEATURED POST

the mystery of the mummified woman misidentified as an egyptian pharaoh 129359

The Mystery of the Mummy of the Woman Mistaken for the Pharaoh of Egypt

space monsters in mythology first appearance 129358

Cosmic Monster ‘in Legend’ Appears for the First Time

the most dangerous coastline in the world haunting the dreams of mangrove forests 108247

The world’s most dangerous strait – The haunting toll measured in sailors’ lives

10 amazing natural phenomena that challenge science 60818

23 Mysterious Natural Phenomena That Challenge Science

TRENDING

nguoi ai cap co dai 650
Scientific Discoveries

What Race Are the Egyptians Ultimately? Why Are They Different from Today’s Africans?

no cave no peak excluding china leaves the world amazed when building a bridge like a dragon flying over the river 136956
Scientific Discoveries

No Tunnels, No Supports: China Stuns the World with a Bridge that Floats like Silk on the River

marie curie the most renowned female scientist in the world 1026
Science Stories

Marie Curie – The Most Renowned Female Scientist in the World

cat parade the oldest cat festival in belgium 125433
Scientific Discoveries

Kattenstoet – The Oldest Cat Festival in Belgium

EDITOR PICK'S

What Race Are the Egyptians Ultimately? Why Are They Different from Today’s Africans?

No Tunnels, No Supports: China Stuns the World with a Bridge that Floats like Silk on the River

12 Most Dangerous Poisonous Mushrooms in the World

The migration of 6 million antelopes in Africa

How is the U.S. President Protected While Traveling?

23 Mysterious Natural Phenomena That Challenge Science

Records of the “Real” Dragons in History

Newsletter

THE MOST IMPORTANT WORLD NEWS AND EVENTS OF THE DAY

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

Category

  • 1001 Mysteries
  • AI – Artificial Intelligence
  • Aliens & UFOs
  • Animal World
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Archaeology
  • Bacteria & Insects
  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Climate & Weather

Site Link

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

About Us

At Scimyst, we uncover the wonders of science, history, and culture. From ancient mysteries to modern innovations, our stories inspire curiosity and connect you to the fascinating world around us. Explore the unknown with us!

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2025 Scimyst - Your gateway to the wonders of science and culture

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Discoveries
    • 1001 Mysteries
    • Aliens & UFOs
    • Animal World
    • Archaeology
    • Biology
      • Bacteria & Insects
      • Biotechnology
      • Plants
    • Doomsday
    • Famous Landmarks
    • History
      • This Day in History
    • Military Science
    • Mars Exploration
    • Oceanography
    • Science Q&A
    • Science Quiz
    • Scientific Discoveries
    • Space Science
    • Why
    • World Figures
    • World Wonders
      • Cultural Heritage
      • Vietnamese Heritage
  • Technology
    • AI – Artificial Intelligence
    • Computer Science
    • New Technology
      • Self-Driving Cars
    • Scientific Inventions
  • Lifestyle
    • Cancer
    • Environment
      • Climate & Weather
      • Disasters
      • Latest Storm Updates
      • Nature
      • Solutions
    • Medicine & Health
      • Antibiotic Resistance
      • Common Illnesses
      • Dengue Fever
      • Family Medicine Cabinet
      • Food Safety
      • Health
      • Influenza Outbreak
    • Scientific Applications
  • Events
    • Science Events
    • Science Stories
    • Scientific Projects
  • Entertainment
    • Photo Library
    • Videos

© 2025 Scimyst - Your gateway to the wonders of science and culture