**Katydids** (family Tettigoniidae), often called bush crickets or long-horned grasshoppers, are famous for their remarkable **camouflage**—mimicking leaves, twigs, or bark—and the distinct, rhythmic **songs** produced by the males. The sounds, which resemble the words “ka-ty-did,” are made by rubbing their front wings (tegmina) together. They are primarily herbivores and are generally considered beneficial or neutral in most environments, though large populations can occasionally cause minor aesthetic damage to garden and ornamental plants by feeding on foliage.
Taxonomy and Classification
Katydids belong to the order Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets), sharing the order with crickets and grasshoppers. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis. They are distinguished from grasshoppers by their extremely long, thin antennae (sometimes longer than their body) and the large, flattened, leaf-like forewings that cover their bodies. The female possesses a long, saber-like ovipositor used to lay eggs in soil or plant tissue.
Physical Description
Katydids range from $1$ to $4$ inches long, with many being bright green.
- **Appearance (Key ID):** Their most striking feature is their incredible ability to mimic leaves, often complete with vein patterns, spots, and edges that resemble damage.
- **Antennae:** Filiform (thread-like) and often extremely long.
- **Vocalization:** Males sing primarily at night, with a distinctive, loud, repetitive noise used to attract mates. The auditory organs (tympanic membranes) are located on the front legs.
- **Damage Sign:** Minor feeding holes or **scalloped edges** on leaves, but damage is rarely extensive or economically significant.
Distribution and Habitat
Katydids are found worldwide, particularly abundant in tropical and subtropical regions. Their habitat is high in the foliage of trees, shrubs, and tall grasses, where their camouflage is most effective. They are often only noticed when the males begin their loud, nightly calling from summer through fall.
Behavior and Conflict
The conflict is minimal, usually aesthetic damage and the noise of their singing.
- **Feeding:** They chew on leaves and occasionally soft fruits, but they rarely reach high enough populations to cause defoliation. Some tropical species are known to feed on pest aphids.
- **Singing Nuisance:** The very loud, continuous nighttime singing of some species (especially in late summer/early fall) can be a considerable nuisance near bedrooms.
- **Defense:** They are harmless to humans. They may attempt a non-venomous bite with their chewing mandibles if handled, but they are not aggressive.
Management and Prevention
Control is generally unnecessary, as they are part of the natural ecosystem.
- **Toleration:** In gardens, they should be tolerated as their feeding is minor, and they are beneficial parts of the food chain.
- **Physical Removal:** If large numbers are damaging high-value plants, they can be manually picked off and relocated.
- **Light Reduction:** If the singing is disruptive, reducing bright outdoor lighting may slightly reduce the number of insects attracted to the immediate vicinity.
- **Pesticides:** Chemical control is not warranted for this insect and would harm beneficial predators.
Conservation and Research
Katydids are conserved for their high biodiversity and ecological role. Research focuses on their acoustic communication systems, the evolution of their complex camouflage, and their role as bioindicators of environmental health.