{"id":20390,"date":"2026-08-16T15:47:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T15:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spiderzoon.com\/insects\/?p=20390"},"modified":"2026-08-16T15:47:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T15:47:54","slug":"broad-winged-katydid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spiderzoon.com\/insects\/broad-winged-katydid\/","title":{"rendered":"Broad-Winged Katydid: Size, Sound, Diet and Life Cycle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The broad-winged katydid<\/strong> (Microcentrum rhombifolium<\/em>) is a large, bright-green insect whose wide wings closely resemble leaves. Also known as the greater angle-winged katydid in many references, it belongs to the family Tettigoniidae and commonly lives among trees, shrubs, and garden plants. Adults can reach about 2 to 2.5 inches long and are especially active after dark. Their unusual calls, excellent camouflage, egg-laying behavior, and occasional feeding damage make broad-winged katydids interesting visitors to yards and gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broad-Winged Katydid Identification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Broad-winged katydids are excellent leaf mimics. Their large green wings have visible veins that resemble those of a living leaf, allowing the insects to remain almost invisible among vegetation during daylight. They are members of the order Orthoptera, which also contains crickets and grasshoppers, but their exceptionally long antennae make them relatively easy to recognize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broad-Winged Katydid Characteristics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Important identification features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Scientific name:<\/strong> Microcentrum rhombifolium<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Family:<\/strong> Tettigoniidae<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Color:<\/strong> Usually bright green<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Adult length:<\/strong> Around 2\u20132.5 inches<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Antennae:<\/strong> Thin and longer than the body<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wings:<\/strong> Broad, leaf-shaped, and longer than the body<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Back:<\/strong> Distinctly humped<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Legs:<\/strong> Long, with enlarged hind legs for jumping<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    A small tooth on the front central edge of the pronotum can also help distinguish the broad-winged species from similar angular-winged katydids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why Do They Look Like Leaves?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Leaf mimicry provides excellent protection from predators. A motionless broad-winged katydid resting among green leaves can be extremely difficult for birds and other visually hunting predators to detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The broad wings contribute greatly to the disguise. Their shape, green coloration, and network of veins create an appearance remarkably similar to foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Big Is a Broad-Winged Katydid?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The broad-winged katydid is one of the larger katydids commonly encountered in North America. Adults generally measure about 2 to 2.5 inches long<\/strong>, with their wings contributing substantially to their overall length. UC Integrated Pest Management gives an adult length of approximately 2\u00bc inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Broad-Winged Katydid vs Grasshopper<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Despite their similar hind legs, katydids and grasshoppers have several noticeable differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Feature<\/strong><\/td>Broad-Winged Katydid<\/strong><\/td>Grasshopper<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Antennae<\/td>Very long and threadlike<\/td>Usually short<\/td><\/tr>
    Color<\/td>Usually bright green<\/td>Highly variable<\/td><\/tr>
    Wings<\/td>Broad and leaflike<\/td>Usually narrower<\/td><\/tr>
    Activity<\/td>Often nocturnal<\/td>Commonly daytime<\/td><\/tr>
    Family<\/td>Tettigoniidae<\/td>Usually Acrididae<\/td><\/tr>
    Sound<\/td>Produced mainly with wings<\/td>Often legs and wings<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Their antennae are usually the fastest way to distinguish them. A katydid’s antennae may extend well beyond its body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Broad-Winged Katydid Sound<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The broad-winged katydid sound<\/strong> is primarily a mating signal produced by adult males. Like other singing katydids, males create sound by rubbing specialized areas of their forewings together. Calling is especially noticeable during warm evenings when adults are active in shrubs and trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Does a Broad-Winged Katydid Sound Like?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The greater angle-winged or broad-winged katydid has a distinctive call that may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • A sharp introductory sound<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Individual calls separated by several seconds<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Short series of rapid ticking notes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Repeated nighttime calling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Missouri’s Department of Conservation describes its song as a sharp call followed by a relatively even series of about 10\u201320 rapid ticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Why Do Broad-Winged Katydids Sing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Male katydids sing primarily to attract females and communicate with members of their species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Each species has a characteristic pattern, helping females recognize appropriate mates even when several species are calling from the same habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Broad-Winged Katydid Life Cycle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"Broad-Winged<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      The broad-winged katydid life cycle<\/strong> has three major stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Unlike butterflies and beetles, katydids do not have a pupal stage. Instead, young nymphs gradually develop into adults through a series of molts, becoming larger and developing functional wings over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Life Cycle Stages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Egg:<\/strong> Females deposit eggs on leaves, twigs, or other plant material.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Nymph:<\/strong> Young katydids hatch looking like small wingless adults.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Growing nymph:<\/strong> Each molt increases body size and wing development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Adult:<\/strong> Full-sized insects develop broad functional wings and reproduce.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Egg laying:<\/strong> Females produce the next generation of eggs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        In some regions, eggs overwinter and hatch during spring. Adults become common during summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Broad-Winged Katydid Nymph<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        A broad-winged katydid nymph<\/strong> resembles a miniature adult but lacks fully developed wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Nymphs are typically green and have very long antennae. Their leaflike coloration provides camouflage while they feed and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        As the insect molts repeatedly, small wing pads become increasingly noticeable until the final molt produces the fully winged adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Broad-Winged Katydid Laying Eggs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Female broad-winged katydids deposit distinctive eggs on vegetation. In citrus, eggs may be placed in rows along leaf edges. The eggs are oval and typically brownish or gray. Other observations show eggs occurring in overlapping rows on twigs or similar surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What Do Broad-Winged Katydid Eggs Look Like?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Their eggs typically have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n