Katydid 🍃 (10 facts you never knew )

Katydids are classified in the straight-winged order of insects, along with grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets. This order of animals gets its name from their straight, stiff wing covers that protect their hind wings when the insects are not flying. The straight wing covers in katydids and other members of their genus are known as tegmena. These serve a similar purpose to elytra in beetles, though entomologists use separate terms to describe the appendages. The tegmena and katydids are what help produce their buzzing sounds. Their wings fold with the left tegmen overlapping the right. The left wing cover has a file, like the teeth of a comb, on the underside, while the right wing cover has a scraper to brush against the comb's teeth and produce sound. Every katydid species has its own unique sound to attract members of the opposite sex, but only for their own species. All the katydids in the area can hear the sound, but only members of the same species will be drawn to its alluring tune. The name katydid is supposed to be an onomatopoeic interpretation of the sounds that katydids produce. Honestly, I have a difficult time hearing it. What do you think? One of the stories behind the name katydid describes a woman by the name of Katie, who was cheated on by her lover. The story ends with both partners dying, with only the insects having borne witness to the event, using their call to describe what they saw. Another interpretation of the name is katydidst, which alludes to the word katikesis, meaning to give instruction by word of mouth. This term, in turn, has its roots in a Greek word meaning to resound in one's ears, much like the call of the katydid. It's not uncommon for folks to confuse katydids and cicadas, because they have a similar sound. In fact, the family name for katydids comes from a Latin word meaning leafhopper, and leafhoppers are a type of small cicada. Here's a cicada, and here is a katydid. Katydids have long, filiform antennae. These are thin and threadlike in appearance, and are at least as long as the katydid's body when intact. This is one of the ways to tell a katydid from a grasshopper. Katydids have long antennae, while the antennae of grasshoppers are short. While most katydids are recognizable by the sound they make, not all katydids produce these noises. Some species, such as the stick katydids, completely lack wings, and are believed to be totally silent. You've also probably heard that katydids are also known as bush crickets and come in pink. But if you weren't aware of these facts, you can learn all about them and more in our full katydid episode. There's a card on screen you can click right now. Go ahead, click it. There's lots to learn, and thanks for watching Animal Fact Files.