Have you ever pretended to be a zombie in order to avoid interacting with people?

Well that’s exactly what this katydid nymph appears to be doing!

When I first encountered this creature in the jungles of Manu Biological Station, I was pretty sure that it had fallen victim to the pathogenic ‘zombie fungus’ Cordyceps. It wasn’t moving, and at first glance it had what looked like the characteristic fruiting bodies of the fungus sprouting out from behind its wings.

I proceeded to take some photos, at which point I accidentally knocked the leaf, and the katydid fell forwards, face-first, onto its surface – further evidence that it was surely dead (see the second photo).

After snapping a few more shots, my ever-curious friend Kim decided to collect the specimen and bring it back to the lab for a closer look. But as she attempted to grab it, it did something neither of us had anticipated.

It jumped.

Apparently the katydid had simply been playing dead the entire time, and doing a damn good job of it.

What was particularly fascinating was that the charade had been both physical and behavioural. Not only had the nymph evolved to look like a zombified version of itself, it was acting like one too.

So, the next time you really can’t be bothered going into work, turn to The Last of Us for your morning makeup inspiration – chances are most people will leave you alone.

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Katydid Nymph (Typophyllum sp.), Manu Biological Station, Peru