Short-horned Katydid

Dichopetala brevihastata

a green and white marked katydid, Dichopetala brevihastata, photo © by Mike Plagens

Observed in Madera Canyon, Sta. Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA. 10 Sept 2010. This is a female with a serrated ovipositor at the posterior of the abdomen.

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Katydids are among the insects that sing by stridulating, i.e. rubbing pegs across a ribbed surface; in this case the pegs are on the legs of the male which are pushed across the wing edge.

Katydids are herbivorous and feed mostly at night when hunting birds are not a threat. During the day their color and pattern helps them hide; notice how the white line intersects the eye thus obscuring it. If need be, they can jump in an instant and can also bite down hard with their mandibles if attacked.

Tettigoniidae -- Katydid Family

More Information:

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Arizona Naturalist
Sycamore Canyons
Invertebrates in Arizona's Sycamore Canyons


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Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 8 September 2013,
updated 9 July 2017.