Tettigoniidae

Grande sauterelle verte - Portrait

Katydid on bamboo leaf

Katydid Eggs

Bellied bright bush-cricket (Poecilimon thoracicus) male

Wandering spider (Cupiennius getazi) with female katydid prey (Tettigoniidae sp.)

Katydid india

Tettigoniidae, commonly known as katydids or bush crickets, are a large family of insects within the order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets, grasshoppers, and their allies. This family is distinguished by their elongated bodies, large hind legs, and predominantly green coloration, which serves as camouflage in their primarily foliage-based habitats. Tettigoniidae are found all over the world, with a significant diversity in tropical regions.

Description

Members of the Tettigoniidae family can range in size from a few millimeters to over 10 centimeters in length. They are characterized by their long antennae, which in some species can be up to twice the length of their bodies, and their large, leaf-like wings. The females possess a long, sword-shaped ovipositor used for laying eggs into soil or plant tissue. Unlike their relatives the crickets, most katydids are predominantly green, although some species may exhibit brown, yellow, or pink hues.

Behavior and Ecology

Katydids are primarily nocturnal and are known for their loud mating calls, produced by the males rubbing their wings together, a process known as stridulation. These sounds vary greatly among species and are used to attract females, as well as to establish territory among competing males. The diet of Tettigoniidae is mainly herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and stems, but some species are known to be omnivorous or even carnivorous, preying on other small insects.

Ecological roles of katydids include being significant predators of insect pests, thereby contributing to the natural control of insect populations. However, some species can become pests themselves, particularly in agricultural settings where they may damage crops.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Tettigoniidae involves the male attracting a female with his song, after which mating occurs. Females lay eggs either singly or in clusters, depending on the species, in various substrates including soil, plant stems, or leaves. The development time from egg to adult can vary widely among species, with some completing their life cycle within a single season, while others may take several years.

Systematics and Evolution

The family Tettigoniidae is divided into several subfamilies, which are further broken down into numerous genera and species. The evolutionary history of katydids is complex, with fossil records indicating their presence since the Jurassic period, making them one of the older insect lineages on Earth.

Conservation

While many species of Tettigoniidae are common and not currently at risk, habitat destruction and climate change pose threats to some species, particularly those with limited ranges or specific habitat requirements. Conservation efforts for these insects involve habitat preservation and research into their ecological roles and population dynamics.