WildView™

September 16, 2024

The Katydid Song

- as seen by -

Byron Towles

---

I got lucky and photographed this katydid (family Tettigoniidae), a close relative of crickets, early one summer morning.

Although I’m familiar with the loud, repetitive song for which they are named (“katy-did, katy-didn’t”), I had never seen one in New York City before this morning, as these insects are primarily nocturnal and spend their days high in trees.

Katydids are beneficial in the food chain as both pollinators and a protein-rich food source for other animals.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This photo was chosen as one of the top submissions for Wild View’s Summer Celebration assignment. Congratulations!

Canon EOS 7D MK II camera with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

---