Habitat
Katydids are found throughout
the world, in habitats ranging from tropical to temperate or arid
environments. Angular winged katydids are found in temperate and
arid regions of the southern United States. |
Physical
Characteristics
Angular-winged katydids are 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) in length.
They have chewing mouthparts and long slender antennae, and are light green in
color. Adult katydids have two pairs of wings that are leaf-like in color and
shape. |
Life
Span
About one year |
Diet
In the wild: Angular-winged katydids typically
eat the leaves of willow, rosewood and citrus trees
At the zoo: Willow
leaves and romaine lettuce |
Reproduction
Male and female angular-winged katydids look alike, except for the
female's hook-like ovipositor (special organ used for depositing
eggs in a selected place) at the tip of her abdomen. During mating,
a spermatophore is transferred from the male to the female's
genital opening. Within 15-20 minutes, the sperm is moved into
the female's body. Eggs are tan and glued to the underside
of leaves. It takes two to three months for the eggs to hatch.
Metamorphosis is incomplete in katydids; therefore, nymphs look
similar to the adults. The only differences are that they are very
small and lack wings.
Life Cycle
Young katydids reach their adult stage in three to four months.
Since they have such a short lifespan, most katydids' social
behavior involves courtship and mating. Predators include birds and
some amphibians. As a defense strategy against predators, katydids
use their coloration as camouflage. If they are spotted by a predator,
regardless of their coloration, katydids will take flight as a means
of escape.
Romantic Serenade
Once
heard, one does not forget the beautiful "music" orchestrated by katydids.
In hopes of luring a mate, one forewing of the male has an area much
like a file that is quickly
rubbed against a scraper area on the other forewing. The result—- an
evening serenade. Male katydids can even control the loudness of their
music. To produce a louder sound, they slightly raise their forewings,
forming a small cavity in which the sound resonates and increases in
volume.
Unlike most
other katydid species, female angular-winged katydids respond to
males with a soft song telling of their willingness to mate. Humans
even imitate the female's
call in hopes of encouraging males to sing their romantic serenade,
which is a pleasure to hear.
|
Fascinating
Facts
- There
are many species of katydids in the rain forest. In fact,
katydids are often called the “plankton
of the rain forest,” because so many kinds of animals
in the forest eat them. Katydids may be a primary source
of protein for numerous species of monkeys, bats, marsupials,
rodents, birds, snakes, frogs, spiders, ants and wasps!
- A katydid can jump up to 20 times
its body length!
- The eardrums of a katydid are located
in its front legs. They just have to move their front legs
to hear in any direction!
|
Katydids
play a very important role in nature's
web of life. Human-caused changes in land use are escalating, and
this affects the natural habitat required by katydids and other animals
for survival. Vast forests are being removed for timber or other
paper products, and industrial emissions are polluting water and
air resources. Additionally, habitat is rapidly converted by expanding
human communities and agricultural needs. It's only a matter
of time until many insect species populations will become severely
reduced, or eliminated.
Humans need insects. Often unnoticed, katydids
and other insects are essential for maintaining the balance in nature
and health of the living world. Here are only a few of the benefits
insects provide:
- Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate
wild plants and our crops, ensuring the production of seeds and
fruits required for the continued survival of plants and animals
- Earwigs, beetles and other insect scavengers
clean up the environment by consuming decaying plants and animals.
Nutrients are recycled back into the soil, helping future generations
of plants to grow
- Many species of carnivorous beetles, ants
and wasps eat other harmful insects that damage or destroy our
crops and spread disease
- Burrowing insects aerate and enrich the
soil
- Insects are a source of food for animals,
including humans!
- Insects produce products used by people,
including honey, beeswax, silk and dyes, to name only a few
How You Can Help!
The effort to save animals and their habitat requires cooperation
and support at the international, national, regional and individual
levels. You can help in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland
Park Zoo and other conservation organizations of your choice. To conserve
habitat for katydids and other insects, reduce your use of pesticides
and herbicides, and work to preserve vegetation in your neighborhood
and in tropical regions.
Contact
Woodland Park Zoo at webkeeper@zoo.org to find out how
you can support conservation efforts at the zoo. Learn other ways
you can help conserve wildlife and the habitats they require for
survival by visiting our How You Can Help page.
Sources and Suggested Reading
Borror, Donald Joyce. 1974. A Field Guide to Insects: America North of Mexico (Petersen
Field Guide Series). Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. 404 p.
Hubbell, Sue. 1993. Broadsides From the
Other Orders: A Book of Bugs. Random House, New York, NY. 276
p.
Nuridsany, Claude and Marie Perennou. 1997. Microcosmos.
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York, NY. 160 p.
For Kids!
Gaffrey, Michael. 1994. Secret Forest. Golden Book,
Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine, WI. 31 p.
Mound, Laurence. 1990. Insect (Eyewitness
Book). Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY. 64 p.
Zoobooks. 1994. Insects. Wildlife Education
Ltd., San Diego, CA. 18 p.
Zoobooks. 1994. Insects 2. Wildlife
Education Ltd., San Diego, CA. 22 p. |
