Katydid

Katydid is a common name used mainly in North America for insects in the family Tettigoniidae, a group of long-horned grasshoppers closely related to crickets.

Katydid is a common name used mainly in North America for insects in the family Tettigoniidae, a group of long-horned grasshoppers closely related to crickets. They are typically nocturnal, have very long antennae, and many species are known for their mating calls. In Canada, the common true katydid occurs in southeastern parts of the country, and the group is familiar through its nighttime calling and leaf-like camouflage.

Classification

Katydids are members of the family Tettigoniidae, which belongs to the order Orthoptera and suborder Ensifera. In British English they are often called bush crickets, and older sources sometimes call them long-horned grasshoppers.

Physical characteristics

Katydids are typically green or partly green, with long antennae, large hind legs for jumping, and in many species leaf-like wings or bodies. Females often have a thick, upward-curved ovipositor used for egg-laying.

Behaviour and diet

Most katydids are nocturnal and live in trees, bushes, or grasses, where they are often camouflaged during the day. They feed chiefly on plant matter, but some species also eat other insects.

Sound production

Katydids are known for their mating calls, which are produced by rubbing specialized structures on the wings. The familiar English name is often linked to the repetitive song of the common true katydid, which sounds like ‘ka-ty-did’.