Photo taken on July 12, 2025 shows a Saga pedo in the grasslands of central Tacheng Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ni Ziyang)

While exploring the grasslands that day, Ni Ziyang spotted a large insect sunbathing in the shrubs, with a body length of 10cm long. "It was completely green, like a mantis but much bigger," he described. After a closer look, he realized with excitement that it was a Saga pedo. "I thought these only lived in western Tacheng! Finding one here made my heart pound," he said.

The insect stayed remarkably calm even when Ni approached. "Its size might explain why it wasn't scared of me," he noted, though it bit him when he tried picking it up.　

Ni spent four hours observing the creature. It moved as slowly as a swaying leaf, blending perfectly with its surroundings. At one point, it swiftly caught and ate an Italian locust in under three minutes. "Since they can’t fly or travel far, they’ve probably been here for generations," Ni speculated.

Saga pedo is a large wingless katydid first discovered in western Tacheng by Xinjiang researchers in the summer of 1987 and later listed as a new recorded species in China. Until now, western Tacheng was considered its rare distribution area in China, but this new finding in central Tacheng's grasslands challenges that assumption.

Wang Shaoshan, head of the Entomology Department at Shihezi University, stated: "This discovery not only updates the species' distribution records in China, revealing Xinjiang's ecological diversity, but also provides valuable data for studying its behavior and reproductive strategies." Wang had previously researched Saga pedo in Tacheng during summer 2024.

He explained that Saga pedo is a rare insect in China, listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the Chinese Red List of Threatened Species (2004). It primarily inhabits grasslands and shrublands in northwestern Xinjiang. As a predator, it effectively controls orthopteran pests like locusts, playing a key role in maintaining grassland balance. Its population dynamics can indicate ecosystem health.

"The species has specific habitat requirements. This discovery confirms local conditions support its survival, reflecting successful ecological conservation," Wang said, emphasizing that protecting Saga pedo aligns with broader grassland ecosystem preservation. He advised authorities to enhance population surveys, limit pesticide use, safeguard habitats, and explore its potential for biological pest control.

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