‘This species has barely had any research done on it’: Meet the insect from Mozambique with beautiful rune markings on its back that proves nature's diversity is truly astounding.

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Mar 30, 2026 7:30 AM EDT

We're constantly amazed at what rare wildlife forms hide from our collective human consciousness. Mother Nature knows how to make absolutely stunning creations, but some of these mesmerizing critters are so scarce that there's barely any research on them. But we're here to bring them to light, because nature is beautiful, and the creatures in it are too.

If you thought that learning about the amazing animals on Earth is an easy job, think again. Not even all zoologists can tell you about all the species of animals that exist today - let alone all that have ever existed throughout our planet's rich history. Learning about animals is a never-ending task, filled with fascinating creatures who are barely seen by humans.

Take the Night Parrot, for example - this special ground-living bird was thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered by a fraudster ornithologist who accidentally made a true discovery. Or, did you know that small wild cats exist? Take the Chinese Mountain Cat, a not-so-distant cousin of our very own domestic cat who's on our laps right as we write these lines. And even closer to this strange animal below, their Australian partner in weirdness, the Bridgey's Midgey, which looks more like an alien than a bug, and kept us fascinated for days.

And today we're diving into another well-kept secret - Pardalota Reimeri. It's an East African insect that looks like a random splash of colors and a set of Nordic runes strung together in a mesmerizing pattern. And we had no clue it existed until we saw some information about it by chance. And we're honestly interested to know more. Well done, Mother Nature. Well done indeed.

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    A OPIOTR NASKRECKI 2014
    via knakr | PIOTR NASKRECKI
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    Pardalota Reimeri is a colorful species of Katydid that has been observed feeding on trees that produce potent chemical defense.
    via knakr
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    F picture nature library 00586146 Piotr Naskrecki / Minden/naturepl.com
    via knakr | nature picture library | Piotr Naskrecki | Minden | naturepl.com
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    It has only ever been found in East Africa, with the last documentation from 2014 in Quirimbas, Mozambique.
    via knakr
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    OPIOTR NASKRECKI 2014
    via knakr | OPIOTR NASKRECKI
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    It is suspected and likely that P. Reimeri is toxic based on the appereance and observed food source making it "aposematic", which means warning potential predators by showing they are dangerous.
    via knakr
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    The Abdomen is bright orange at the top with black sides and the hind legs show a black and yellow coloration at the top with the rest being a light green.
    via knakr
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    On the wings there are rune like markings over the black parts. Other spots of the wings are pinkish and white marked in an almost checkered way. On the pronotune and head we also have a yellow half with the bottom of each half being black.
    via knakr
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    This species of katydid has barely had any research done on it, so my information is based on only a handful of websites.
    via knakr
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    Nights_King_ I wonder if there is a limited set of,,rune" markings or if they are completely random.
    via Nights_King_
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    OP knakr Havent thought of that... I cant tell you since theres such a limited amount of knowledge about them. But my guess would be that there are limitations, not because they mean anything but simply because no more are needed. But then again I dont even know the use for the,,rune markings"
    via knakr
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    Airy_mtn This is by far my favorite subreddit. The diversity and adaptive ability of nature is astounding.
    via Airy_mtn

  • True! We're also fascinated by nature's diversity. Thinking of wildlife only in the narrow scope of the most well-known wild animals might still be very interesting, but it misses the entire picture. Nature is a mosaic so intricate that we can't even begin to understand it. That's why we have zoologists and paleontologists, and the wholesome bunch of conservation center workers. When it comes to animals, there's always something new to discover, and for us, mere animal lovers, something new to learn. And that's why we're here - learning day by day, with a tinge of humor on the side.

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    OP knakr Yes it really is so much fun
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    Lita-Yuzuki For a split second, I almost thought I saw runes on its wings. I need to go to bed.
    via Lita-Yuzuki
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    OP knakr No that is definetely what it looks like. I think the common Name should be related to runes, it just totally looks like that. Absolutely amazing animal
    via knakr
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    Dracorex13 The most bizarrely beautiful grasshopper you ever did see: has a scientific name that means Reimer's spotted one
    via Dracorex13
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    OP knakr Yeah i dont know why one would pick that name for such a stunning animal. Doesnt even remotely describe its beauty
    via knakr
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    GringoNut That is crazy. Wonder what accidental purpose that could serve? What evolutionary pressure would have coalesced...
    via GringoNut
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    OP knakr Also what I am wondering. I wish more people would be interested in those questions, theres truly so many animals out there that are insanely understudied and to which I have so many questions about. If I ever do have the means to make it to Mozambique I plan on just spending my time trying to understand the meaning of those runes. Nothing comes to mind that would explain that.
    via knakr

  • We also wish more people would be interested in the questions leading to learning more about animals in the world. This is how more zoologists are born, and with more of those - we have more knowledge of the fascinating world of wildlife, waiting to be discovered. And us? We're here to stare in awe at what Mother Nature can produce. Simply amazing.

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    Elevator-Ancient What are the aliens trying to tell us with this winged code?
    via Elevator-Ancient
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    andarre I wonder if this is where Bungie got its inspiration for Hive symbols
    via andarre
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    emmany63 They look like they were created to be a clue in a Dan Brown novel.
    via emmany63
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    The-Child-Of-Reddit The symbols Mason what do they mean?
    via The-Child-Of-Reddit
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    muricabrb The rune markings are super cool.
    via muricabrb

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nature insects africa did you know color grasshopper amazing beauty animals beautiful
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