Katydid (family Tettigoniidae)

InsectOrthopteranCamouflage

Overview

Katydids — called bush crickets across much of Europe — are insects of the family Tettigoniidae, with more than six thousand species worldwide. They are separated from grasshoppers by their very long, thread-like antennae, often longer than the body itself.

Many katydids are outstanding leaf mimics. The camouflage can go far beyond simple green colouring: some species have wings marked with false midribs and veins, patches that imitate fungal blotches, and even notches that mimic insect damage on a real leaf.

Katydids hear through their front legs. A pair of tympanal organs sits on the tibia of each foreleg — an arrangement quite different from grasshoppers, whose hearing organs are on the abdomen.

Habitat & Range

Katydids occur worldwide except in the coldest regions, with by far the greatest diversity in tropical forest. They live among foliage in trees, shrubs, grassland and undergrowth, and their camouflage is tied to that setting. Some species live in grass or on the ground, and a number are found in caves and arid habitats.

Diet

Diet varies widely across the family. Many katydids are herbivores feeding on leaves, flowers and seeds; others are omnivores; and a good number are active predators taking other insects and small invertebrates. Some large tropical species have powerful jaws capable of delivering a firm defensive bite.

Behavior

Song is central to katydid life. Males produce sound by stridulation — rubbing a scraper on one forewing against a file on the other — and females respond, in some species with a click of their own. Most species are nocturnal, singing after dark, and the common name 'katydid' imitates the rhythmic call of a North American species. Females of most species have a long, blade- or sword-shaped ovipositor used to insert eggs into plant tissue or soil, which is sometimes mistaken for a sting.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Katydids are important herbivores and prey in many ecosystems and are studied for their acoustic communication and for the sophistication of their camouflage. Some species are agricultural pests locally, and a number are eaten by people in various parts of the world. Their reliance on foliage and on acoustic signalling makes them sensitive to habitat loss and, in some contexts, to noise. This profile offers no pest-control guidance.