Is this a leaf or a bug? From a distance it can be hard to tell if this thing is a vegetable or an insect. However, on closer examination, it is quite clear that we are looking at none other than the tapper himself. If you have ever walked outside at night during the summer in New York you would be familiar with the peculiar tapping sound that creates the orchestra along with the cricket chirps. But, you may not know where the tapping is coming from unless you have actually seen the culprit. Until now I was unaware of the nature of the tapper because it can easily camouflage itself into the backyard foliage. Luckily, one of the tappers had wandered from the backyard tribe, and ended up on the side door of my house. It seemed very unlikely to have a huge leaf growing out of the metal door, and I decided to take a closer look. Sure enough it was alive! If you happen to see a big leaf moving along your side door, don't be alarmed. It is just the tapper making its rounds.
