Insect Encyclopedia - Katydid

Katydids (螽, Katydid) refer to species belonging to the superfamily Tettigonioidea, within the suborder Ensifera of the order Orthoptera. They resemble grasshoppers but have longer antennae and hind legs. Females possess a long ovipositor, and males can produce sound by rubbing their wings together. Most are omnivorous, feeding on insects like grasshoppers, cicadas, and cockroaches, as well as smaller creatures such as praying mantises, frogs, lizards, and even other katydids if they are smaller. They grow rapidly upon hatching in spring, mate and lay eggs in summer, and die in autumn. Interestingly, in summer, young praying mantises are eaten by katydids, while in autumn, older katydids become prey for praying mantises. The family Tettigoniidae is divided into: Tettigoniinae (Katydid, Long-winged Katydid, Brown Katydid, etc.), Phaneropterinae (Bush Cricket, Mountain Bush Cricket, etc.), Meconematinae (Leaf Cricket, Striped Leaf Cricket, etc.), Conocephalinae (Conehead Katydid, etc.), Oecanthinae (Tree Cricket, etc.) and Nemobiinae (Ground Cricket, etc.). Over 30 species have been recorded in South Korea.