Katydids and cicadas are two fascinating groups of insects that are often confused due to their similar appearances and the loud mating calls they produce. However, these insects are quite different from each other in several aspects. Understanding their distinctive features will help you recognize them and appreciate their roles in their respective ecosystems.
Katydids, belonging to the order Orthoptera, are related to grasshoppers and crickets, with about 6,400 species worldwide. They are mostly green in color and can be found in areas with deciduous trees, parks, and yards. On the other hand, cicadas belong to the order Hemiptera and can be identified by their large wings, prominent veins, and small antennae. Cicadas can be found in either annual or periodical forms, with the latter emerging every 13 or 17 years as evident from Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
While both of these insects produce loud sounds for mating purposes, they use different mechanisms. Male katydids produce sound by rubbing their wings together, whereas male cicadas use a specialized membrane on their bodies.
Katydid and Cicada Basics
General Appearance
Katydids:
- Long and slender shape
- Long antennae
- Green or brown color, often resembling leaves
- Four wings, held like a roof over the body
Cicadas:
- Stout body, 1-1.5 inches long
- Short antennae
- Green or brown color with black markings
- Four clear, fly-like wings, folded like a tent over the body
Habitat and Range
Katydids:
- Found in various environments such as forests, meadows, and gardens
- Mainly nocturnal, actively feeding and singing during the night
- About 6,400 species worldwide, with differing habitats depending on the species (source)
Cicadas:
- Found worldwide, inhabiting trees and other vegetation
- Can be heard singing during day and night
- Over 3,000 species, some emerging every 13 or 17 years (source)
| Feature | Katydid | Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Long and slender | Stout |
| Antennae | Long | Short |
| Wings | Like a roof over the body | Like a tent over the body |
| Active period | Mainly nocturnal | Both day and night |
| Number of species | Around 6,400 | Over 3,000 |
| Emergence schedule | Varies by species | Some emerge every 13-17 years |
Physical Characteristics
Katydids are a large group of insects in the order Orthoptera, closely related to grasshoppers and crickets. They are typically green in color, but some species can be found in shades of red, brown, blue, or even pink, yellow, and orange. Their most distinctive feature is their long antennae which help differentiate them from grasshoppers and crickets 1.
Cicadas, however, belong to a different order called Hemiptera. They usually have a green or brown body, with black markings. Cicadas are characterized by short antennae and four transparent wings which are much longer than their abdomen 2.
Here is a comparison table highlighting the main differences between katydids and cicadas:
| Feature | Katydids | Cicadas |
|---|---|---|
| Order | Orthoptera | Hemiptera |
| Color | Green, red, brown, blue | Green, brown |
| Wings | Long, green | Transparent, longer than abdomen |
| Antennae | Long | Short |
Katydids have oblong-shaped wings that resemble leaves, providing them excellent camouflage in their environment. This helps them blend in with their surroundings, making it difficult for predators to spot them 3.
On the other hand, cicadas possess transparent wings folded over their back, resembling a tent, which contributes to their distinct appearance 4.
The eyes of both insects are typically large, though katydids have rounded eyes whereas cicadas have more protruding eyes.
In terms of mouth, katydids have chewing mouthparts, whereas cicadas are equipped with piercing and sucking mouthparts 5.
Key features of katydids:
- Green, leaf-like wings
- Long antennae
- Chewing mouthparts
Key features of cicadas:
- Transparent wings
- Short antennae
- Piercing and sucking mouthparts
Sounds and Songs
Katydids and cicadas are both known for their distinct sounds. They use these sounds for communication, primarily during mating season.
Katydids: The song of a katydid is usually a high-pitched, raspy, and halting sound. It’s often described as a “katy-did, katy-didn’t” call from high up in trees1. An example of a katydid species found in Missouri is the Common true katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia).
Cicadas: Cicada songs are more of a rattling noise. Male cicadas produce the sound using a structure called a tymbal. The hollow abdomen helps amplify the noise2. For example, the periodical cicada creates a sound similar to a child’s wooden rattle.
| Feature | Katydid | Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | High-pitched, raspy, halting | Rattling |
| Purpose | Communication, primarily for mating | Communication, primarily for mating |
| Example | Common true katydid | Periodical cicada |
In summary, katydids and cicadas both create unique sounds for communication purposes, with katydids making high-pitched, halting sounds, and cicadas producing rattling noises.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Cicadas:
- Periodical cicadas have a unique 13 or 17-year life cycle with most of their lives spent underground.
- They emerge as adults in the summer to mate. Females lay eggs in tree branches.
- Eggs hatch in 6-7 weeks and nymphs fall to the ground, burrow into the soil, and feed on tree roots.
- They are mainly found in North America.
Katydids:
- Katydids have a much shorter life cycle, completing it within a single season.
- Mating takes place in late summer to early fall. Females lay eggs on leaves or stems.
- Nymphs hatch in spring, and the entire population dies off in the fall.
- They are more common in tropical regions.
Comparison Table:
| Cicadas | Katydids | |
|---|---|---|
| Life Cycle | 13 or 17 years | 1 season |
| Mating | Summer | Late summer to early fall |
| Eggs | Tree branches | Leaves or stems |
| Nymphs | Underground feeding | Above ground, similar to adults |
| Location | North America | Tropical regions |
Reproduction and Growth
Katydids are fascinating creatures known for their leaf-like appearance and nocturnal behaviors. Their reproduction process involves males producing a loud call to attract females by rubbing their wings together. Female katydids deposit eggs onto leaves or plants, which hatch into nymphs after several weeks. Found in various locations, including North Carolina, they can sometimes damage crops or plant life.
Here are some characteristics of katydids:
- Leaf-like appearance
- Nocturnal behavior
- Males call females by rubbing wings together
- Eggs are laid on leaves or plants
- Nymphs emerge after a few weeks
Cicadas are also unique insects, with some periodical cicadas emerging every 13 or 17 years. Males produce a loud song by vibrating membranes on their body to attract females. Female cicadas lay eggs inside tree branches, which hatch into nymphs that fall to the ground and burrow into the soil to begin their life cycle.
Cicadas have these distinctive features:
- Males sing to attract females
- Females lay eggs inside tree branches
- Nymphs fall to the ground and burrow into the soil
When comparing katydids and cicadas, we can consider the following table:
| Aspect | Katydids | Cicadas |
|---|---|---|
| Reproduction | Males call by rubbing wings | Males sing by vibrating membranes |
| Egg laying | On leaves or plants | Inside tree branches |
| Nymph habitat | On or near host plant or leaves | Underground in soil |
| Impact on crops | Can damage crops and plants | Limited effect on plant life |
Comparison and Differences
Katydids and cicadas are two distinct species of insects that are often confused due to their similar appearance and behaviors. However, they have several differences that set them apart:
Body and Wings
- Katydids: Long and slender shape, often green or camouflaged; wings fold over the body like a leaf. Example
- Cicadas: Stout body with green or brown color and black markings; large and thick-veined wings which fold like a tent. Example
Sound Production
- Katydids: Produce sound using specialized organs called stridulation; similar to crickets and grasshoppers.
- Cicadas: Create sound through tymbals, a unique membrane on the sides of their body. Periodical cicadas are especially known for their loud mating songs.
Life Cycles
- Katydids: Generally have a one-year life cycle, with nymphs resembling adults except for their wings.
- Cicadas: Can have either long life cycles like the 13 or 17-year periodical cicadas or shorter ones like the annual (dog-day) cicadas. Nymphs spend time underground before emerging as adults. Example
Comparison Table
| Feature | Katydids | Cicadas |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | Stridulation | Tymbals |
| Body Shape | Long, slender | Stout |
| Wings | Fold like a leaf | Fold like a tent |
| Life Cycle | One year | Varies (Annual or Periodical) |
In summary:
- Katydids are more like crickets and grasshoppers, while cicadas are a different group.
- Specialized organs for sound production differ between the species: stridulation in katydids and tymbals in cicadas.
- The two insects have distinct body shapes and wing types, providing some level of camouflage in their natural environments.
Annual vs Periodical Cicadas
Annual cicadas appear every year, while periodical cicadas emerge in cycles of 13 or 17 years1. Both types of cicadas have unique features and behaviors.
Annual Cicadas:
Periodical Cicadas:
Comparing Annual and Periodical Cicadas
| Feature | Annual Cicada | Periodical Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Life Cycle | Every year4 | 13 or 17 years1 |
| Size | Larger2 | Smaller |
| Mating Call | Varies by species2 | Vibrating membrane1 |
Examples
- Scissor grinder cicadas and buzz saw cicadas are distinctive species of annual cicadas2.
- Periodical cicadas emerged in 2021 in Washington, DC, and 15 states in the Eastern United States to mate and lay eggs1.
Notable Characteristics
- Cicada nymphs crawl out of the ground and grab onto a nearby plant4
- The back of their exoskeleton splits open, and the winged adult emerges4
Pros and Cons of Cicadas
Pros:
- Natural indicator of ecosystem health1
- An interesting part of our natural world
Cons:
- Can cause damage to young trees when laying eggs3
- Loud noise might be annoying to some people
Ecosystem Impact:
Rain can cause cicadas to emerge from the soil4, while air friction affects the songs created by both types of cicadas.
Impact on Humans and Environment
Cicadas and katydids are two types of insects that have distinctive appearances, behaviors, and impacts on humans and the environment.
Cicadas:
- Not harmful to humans, pets, household gardens, or crops
- Produce loud courting sounds, mainly by male cicadas
- Part of North American cicadas – some periodical species have a 13 or 17-year life cycle
Katydids:
- Plant-eating insects, part of cricket and grasshopper family
- Buzz, trill, and chirp in the summer night insect chorus
- Camouflaged, blend into their environment
| Feature | Cicadas | Katydids |
|---|---|---|
| Impact on humans | Harmless, but produce loud sounds | Harmless, contribute to nighttime sounds |
| Environmental impact | Negligible on gardens & crops | Plant-eating insects |
| Range/location | North American, periodical & annual | North American, typically nocturnal |
| Sound | Staccato sound, used for mating calls | Buzz, trill, and chirp in insect chorus |
Cicadas are often compared to locusts, but they’re not the same. Locusts are a type of grasshopper, while cicadas belong to a different insect order. The staccato sound produced by cicadas is generally louder and more noticeable than the noises made by katydids. In the case of periodical cicadas, their mass emergence can be an impressive natural event. However, they have a limited impact on humans and the environment.
Footnotes
- https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/katydids/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9
- https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/cicadas ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
- https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/common-true-katydid ↩ ↩2
- https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/cicadas ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
- https://www.thoughtco.com/difference-between-cicadas-and-katydids-1968528 ↩
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| Cicada Skin | House Centipede named Bob |
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