Hmmm, is that just a dried leaf or is it something much more interesting?
If you spot a Katydid (which is a challenge in itself), you might immediately think it is a grasshopper. They are in the same family as grasshoppers but are distinct and sometimes known as Bush Crickets. Most species of Katydids live in tropical regions. But there are about 255 species in North America of which 44 species are found in Canada.
What is so special about Katydids?
Katydids are masters of disguise. They mimic the colour, texture and even damage patterns of leaves often appearing to be dried, chewed or diseased leaves. This protects them from predators and helps them ambush prey. I have trained my brain to watch for them and am always impressed by how they hide in plain sight.
What do Katydids look like?
As leaf-mimics, Katydids range from all green in colouration to mixtures of green, brown and black. Katydids found in Canda range from a half inch to 2-1/2 inches in size. They have long antennae, which may exceed their body length, and very large hind legs. Some Katydid species can fly but they are generally are not very adept at it.
How long do they live and where?
Katydids are mostly tree-living insects although they can also be found on large plants. They live upwards to a year through their full life cycle of egg, nymph and adult. Their eggs can survive cold temperatures which allows Katydids to overwinter in egg form.
Where do they fit in the quilt of nature?
Katydids contribute to ecosystem balance by helping to regulate plant growth and insect populations and assisting in pollination. They provide food for predators such as birds, bats, rodents, tree frogs, spiders and praying mantids. Katydids themselves are primarily leaf-eaters although they sometimes eat dead or slow moving insects like aphids.
Camo Katydids – one more, fascinating patch in the quilt of nature stitched together by threads of interdependence and natural balance.
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Tags: ecosystem · Katydids · leaf-mimics · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · NatureNo Comments