# Common True Katydid (*Pterophylla camellifolia*) The Common True Katydid is a green insect that loves to hide in leaves and grass. It makes a fun sound at night that sounds like music! These little critters are great at blending in with their surroundings. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** True Katydid ![Common True Katydid](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/AmCyc_Katydid.jpg&width=800) Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AmCyc_Katydid.jpg) ## Appearance The Common True Katydid is a large, vibrant green insect with a body flattened sideways, making it look exactly like a leaf. It has very long, thin antennae and prominent, intricate wing venation that further enhances its leafy disguise. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Tettigoniidae - **Genus:** Pterophylla ## Interesting facts - Female katydids lay their eggs on leaves or twigs, carefully hidden from birds and other hungry eyes! - Katydids belong to the same insect group as grasshoppers and crickets, but are often chunkier! - Their distinctive calls are so loud, they can be heard over half a mile away on a quiet night! - They often walk or hop across leaves and branches, even with their impressive, large wings! ## Special abilities - **Leafy Disguise:** Common True Katydid has a vibrant green, leaf-like body that helps them blend perfectly into leafy trees and shrubs, making them almost invisible. - **Loud Serenade:** Common True Katydid can produce loud, distinctive 'katy-did, katy-didn't' calls by rubbing its wings together to attract mates from a distance. - **Leg Ears:** Common True Katydid has unique 'ears' on its front legs that help them hear the calls of other katydids, crucial for finding partners. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-100 mm - **Size:** 30-50 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-730 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They primarily munch on leaves and sometimes enjoy flowers or soft fruits. - **Primary Foods:** Oak leaves, Maple leaves, Birch leaves, Flowers, Soft fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [European Starling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-starling) (*Sturnus vulgaris*) — Starlings often prey on katydids. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats hunt katydids using echolocation. - **Eats:** [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) — Katydids feed on oak leaves. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Katydids are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common True Katydid? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Common True Katydid's wingspan? 60-100 mm ### How big is Common True Katydid? 30-50 mm ### How long does Common True Katydid live? 365-730 days ### What does Common True Katydid eat? They primarily munch on leaves and sometimes enjoy flowers or soft fruits. ### Where is Common True Katydid usually found? Forests ### How does Common True Katydid hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Common True Katydid have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Oak Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oak-ridge-historic-district) — Tennessee, US · Historic District - [Grove Hill Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grove-hill-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Harlan Spring Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harlan-spring-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Chalet Woods Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chalet-woods-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [George Bush Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/george-bush-park) — Texas, US · Park [View all places to see Common True Katydid](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-true-katydid) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common True Katydid: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-true-katydid)