Pterophylla camellifolia

(Fabricius, 1775)

common true katydid, northern true katydid, rough-winged katydid

Pterophylla camellifolia is a large, nearly flightless to eastern North America. Males produce the iconic three-pulsed "ka-ty-did" call that gave katydids their . The inhabits the of deciduous trees and moves primarily by , running, or hopping rather than flying. exhibit geographic variation in song structure, with northern populations producing two- to four-pulsed songs, southeastern populations faster multi-pulsed choruses, southwestern populations one- to two-pulsed songs, and a distinctive 8-15 pulse song restricted to central Iowa. Three are recognized based on morphological and geographic differences.

True Katydid Pterophylla camellifolia by Mymoon Moghul. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.True Katydid, Pterophylla camellifolia - Flickr - GregTheBusker by Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Pterophylla camellifolia (common true katydid) (motel just south of Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA) 1 (17063800560) by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pterophylla camellifolia: /ˌtɛɹ.əˈfɪl.ə kəˌmɛl.ɪˈfoʊ.li.ə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Large, reaching up to 50 mm in length. Nearly flightless with reduced relative to body size. Distinguished from other North katydids by: (1) the male's loud, rasping three-pulsed "ka-ty-did" song; (2) preference for and hopping over leaping or flying; (3) -dwelling habit in deciduous forests rather than shrub or herb layer. Greater angle-wing katydid (Microcentrum rhombifolium) is larger (52-63 mm), more leaf-like in appearance with angular wing margins, and produces a "lisp" call rather than the distinctive three-pulsed song. Meadow katydids (Orchelimum spp.) and coneheads (Neoconocephalus spp.) occupy different and produce different song patterns.

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Habitat

of deciduous trees. Specifically associated with mature deciduous forest canopy rather than understory, shrub layer, or .

Distribution

Eastern North America: southeastern Canada (Ontario, Quebec) through eastern United States from Maine south to Florida, west to approximately the Mississippi River valley. Extralimital records from Ottawa, Ontario represent probable chance introductions rather than established .

Diet

Foliage of deciduous trees. Feeds on leaves in the .

Behavior

Males produce three distinct acoustical signals: solo calling, alternating calling (rhythmic alternation with neighboring males at slower rates), and aggressive sounds. Singing rate is temperature-dependent. Acoustical interaction involves entrainment at slower rates through reciprocal inhibition, with intermittent "escape" solos by the faster-calling male. When disturbed, produces arhythmic disturbance sounds. Moves primarily by , running, or hopping; rarely even when pressed.

Ecological Role

Folivore in deciduous forest . Specific interactions beyond are not documented.

Human Relevance

The male's song is the source of the name "" applied to all members of . Frequently heard but rarely seen due to -dwelling habits. Occasionally attracted to lights at night.

Similar Taxa

  • Microcentrum rhombifoliumGreater angle- is larger (52-63 mm vs. 50 mm), more distinctly leaf-mimicking with angular wing margins, produces a "lisp" call rather than three-pulsed song, and ranges more broadly westward including Texas and southwestern states.
  • Orchelimum spp.Meadow inhabit grasslands and wetlands rather than forest , have longer relative to body, and produce different song patterns.
  • Neoconocephalus spp.Conehead have distinctive conical , occupy open , and produce continuous buzzing songs rather than discrete pulses.

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Sources and further reading