Insect identification has always been difficult for me. Walking back from class I saw this guy (girl – I should just say male/female) hanging out close to the parking garage, and I think it’s a Katydid.
In Costa Rica we were able to see some amazing insects and see their special traits, but usually there was a field guide around to help ID. The Katydid is named for its song that is usually made by the rubbing of its wings. The song is described to go “Katy-did, She-did”. The fore-wings are convex and oval, crossed by ‘veins’ that closely resemble the veins of leaves. With its leaf green and brown coloration it has great camouflage and is usually disguised in the leaves. I’m not sure which species of katydid this one is exactly, but it is in the family of long horned grasshoppers. The katydid primarily inhibits crowns of deciduous trees in forests, parks, or yard – so keep your eyes peeled!