Take a look at the Winged Predatory Katydid (Clonia wahlbergi)
Learn more at https://abt-edu.com
Katydids are identified by their long antennae that can grow
up to two to three times the length of their body and is covered with sensory
receptors to help find their way in the dark. They are notorious for their
plant like appearance and for their ability to blend in with vegetation.
The katydid gets its name from the way the male and female
songs sound. They create sounds by
rubbing a scraper on one forewing against another forewing. It has hearing organs located inside a slit
on its front legs. Male song organs are
located on their front wings and females chirp in response to the males song
that sounds like “katy did, Katy didn’t.”
The song is usually used for courtship during the late summer.
Katydids have adapted and come up with ways to hide from
their predators. They have excellent
camouflage capabilities and are able to pose like leaves and mimic other
insects. Their predators are bats,
birds, snakes and shrews.
Katydids feed on leaves, stems, flowers, fruit and a variety
of plant seeds. May species feed on
insects, snails and small invertebrates like snakes and lizards. Females lay her eggs in soil and the stems
and bark of trees.
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