Fauna
Insect · GBIF taxon 5097643

Fork-tailed Bush Katydid

Scudderia furcata

Also known as Fork-Tailed Katydid, Forked Bush Katydid

Fork-tailed bush katydids are master leaf mimics, perfectly camouflaged in green foliage across North American fields, gardens, and shrublands. Males signal to potential mates at twilight with brief, high-pitched clicking calls generated by rubbing their forewings together. While adults feed harmlessly on broadleaf plants and flowers, early-instar nymphs occasionally feed on young citrus fruit, leaving distinctive scarring.

CamouflagedNocturnalLeaf Mimic
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) David Hill, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Leaves
  • Flowers
  • Citrus skin
Predators
  • Insectivorous birds
  • Bats
  • Orb-weaver spiders
ThreatsPesticide application and widespread habitat destruction
HabitatsMeadows, overgrown fields, gardens, shrublands, and orchards
Life span1 year
Classification
  1. OrderOrthoptera
  2. FamilyTettigoniidae
  3. GenusScudderia
  4. SpeciesScudderia furcata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless to humans; safe to observe closely.
Responsible observation
  • Listening at Dusk: Listen for short, high-pitched clicks or ticks echoing from shrubs at twilight.
  • Searching Foliage: Look closely along leaf stems, as their body shape mirrors leaf edges.
  • Gentle Observation: Avoid grabbing by the long hind legs, which detach easily as a defense mechanism.
Related species
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Mystic Meadows

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