Tettigonidae

Common Name

Bush-crickets or katydids

Overview

The Tettigoniidae family, commonly known as bush-crickets or katydids, is a large group of insects within the Orthoptera order. They are known for their cricket-like appearance and are notable for the distinct songs produced by males. These insects are widely distributed across the globe, with diversity peaking in tropical regions.

Taxonomy

Key Characteristics

  • Size : Generally range from 5 mm to over 130 mm in length.
  • Color : Typically green or brown, providing camouflage among foliage.
  • Antennae : Long, often exceeding the body length.
  • Wings : Forewings leathery (tegmina) with membranous hind wings.
  • Sound production : Stridulation achieved by rubbing specialized structures on the wings.

Life Cycle

  • Eggs : Laid individually in soil, plant material, or crevices.
  • Nymphs : Multiple molts occur before reaching adulthood.
  • Adults : Mate and produce characteristic sounds for attracting mates. Lifespan varies but is generally around 2-3 months.

Behavior and Ecology

  • Diet : Omnivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, small insects, and other invertebrates.
  • Habitat : Primarily found in vegetation such as forests, grasslands, meadows, and gardens.
  • Predation : Preyed upon by birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and other arthropods.
  • Communication : Males produce songs to attract females, with each species having unique acoustic signals.

Notable Species

  • Pterophylla camellifolia : Known as the Common True Katydid, native to North America.
  • Tettigonia viridissima : The Great Green Bush-cricket, found across Europe and parts of Asia.
  • Mecopoda elongata : Also known as the Large Katydid, widespread in tropical Asia.

Conservation

  • Some species face threats from habitat destruction and pesticide use. Conservation efforts include habitat preservation and minimizing pesticide application.

Significance to Humans

  • Education and Research : Used as model organisms in studies of acoustic communication and behavior.
  • Agriculture : Some species considered pests due to their plant-eating habits.
  • Cultural : Katydids are featured in folklore and music in various cultures.

Fun Facts

  • Katydids can be excellent mimics of leaves and other plant parts.
  • Some species have ears located on their front legs.
  • The songs of Tettigoniidae can be heard from great distances, often up to several hundred meters.
  • Katydids have been around for about 200 million years, dating back to the Jurassic period.
  • They can "hear" ultrasonic frequencies, which helps them evade bat predators.