Katydid

The Katydid is a cousin of the grasshopper and the cricket. They get their name from their song because it sounds like someone saying “Katy did! Katy didn’t! They are also referred to as a Bush Cricket or Leaf Bug.

Katydids are nocturnal bugs that prefer to walk or climb (rather than fly) and can jump up to 20 times their body length. Their diet consists mostly of leaves and flowers of fruit plants, although some varieties of katydids will eat other insects.

Different Species of Katydids

There are many species of katydids. The Giant Katydid is the largest, with bodies that can grow up to six inches and their antenna growing even longer than their bodies. Other species of katydids range from one to five inches, and their antennas are generally 2-3 times the length of their body with the male antennas being the longest - Katydids use their long antenna to help forage for food.

Male and Female Katydids

Though they look very similar, there are slight differences between the appearance of male and female katydids. Females have an ovipositor, which looks like a long stinger, at the end of her abdomen; she uses this to lay her eggs.
The male katydid rubs its wings together to make his song. The song is produced by scrapping the forewings together. Their song is used to attract females in hopes of a courtship.

Blending in to Hide from Predators

Green is possibly the most common of colors among the katydid population and their wings have a leaf like look to them which helps them blend in with the foliage and hide from predators such as birds, bats, snakes and frogs. As you might imagine, this makes them hard to spot by humans and prey alike.

While there are other colors of katydid, pink, yellow, orange and even a reddish colored one has been reported, they are not as camouflaged as the green katydid unless they are in an environment that is abundant to their coloring, thus leaving them easily spotted by prey.

Katydids are Very Vocal

Male katydids are one of the loudest insects around, and actually got their name from their song sounds which are used in courtship. Each katydid species has unique songs they sing for different reasons. For example, they have a song for mating and another one to warn about predators.

If Handled will a Katydid Bite?

Katydids are not harmful to humans but can and will bite if you happen to handle one. Their bites are not venomous though. If bitten, it can draw a little blood, just wash and clean the bite and put a band aid on if necessary.

Katydids are interesting bugs but don’t have much to do with us humans. If you hear one, search around, they are fascinating to watch.