Insect · GBIF taxon 5097643
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Scudderia furcataAlso 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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
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
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOrthoptera
- FamilyTettigoniidae
- GenusScudderia
- SpeciesScudderia furcata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Matt Pelikan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Zach Earl, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Image unavailableGenus Relative
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Mystic Meadows
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