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Creature Features
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The Giant Katydid
By Stacey Pakula
BZZZZZZZZZZTTTTTTT!!!! If it is not a Cicada that you hear at night
making this deafening buzzing noise, it is most definitely one of these
giant grasshopper-looking bugs, a Katydid!
The Giant Katydid looks a bit scary, but they are very gentle bugs that stay
motionless during the day to hide from trouble. By night time they become
very active either hunting for food or trying to attract a mate! Katydids
are related to grasshoppers, so they look similar, but the long antennae and
leaf-like appearance of the wings are the characteristics that distinguish
them from their look-a-like relatives!
Finding one during the day can prove to be quite a challenge, but if you go
out at night to look for one of these creatures it will not be hard at all!
Just follow your ears! More than likely you will find them inside a bush or
sitting on top amongst the leaves, so get your flashlight and go looking!
Fun Facts:
· The Katydid family contains over 6,400 species!
· The male Giant Katydid has sound producing organs on the hind of their
wings which they create sound by rubbing together!
· It is believed to be one of the loudest insects on the planet!
· The female is equipped with a long sword-like egg-laying organ which they
use to lay their eggs inside rotting wood!
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