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greater angle-wing katydid
greater angle-wing katydid (Microcentrum rhombifolium) [female]
Photo © Mary Kay Rubey
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
Katydids have feet with four segments. The body generally resembles that of grasshoppers, but katydids have long, threadlike antennae instead of the grasshoppers’ short antennae. The greater angle-wing katydid is about to two to two and one-half inches long. This species is green with an appearance much like that of a leaf.
BEHAVIORS
The lifespan of a katydid is about a year. Females usually lay their eggs at the end of summer. Most katydids overwinter in the egg form. The males have sound-producing organs on their front wings. They use this sound for courtship. During courtship there often is antennal contact between male and female. Katydids are eaten by birds and mammals and may be the target of insect predators and parasites including horsehair worms, wasps and flies. This species is common in trees. It can be found in forests, urban areas and edge habitats. The eggs are glued in double rows on the sides of twigs roughened by biting. Singing occurs from July through November.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Tettigoniidae
Illinois Status: common, native
