Guide on Caring for a Katydid Insect

If you spend a quiet evening in a field, you may hear the gentle chirping of crickets, cicadas, and the melodious song of katydids. These lesser-known green insects often resemble grasshoppers, with their long, slender legs and come in various shapes, sizes, and hues. Katydids are docile creatures; by creating a suitable habitat and providing daily nourishment, you can easily domesticate them as pets!

Acquire a ventilated tank measuring at least 30 by 30 by 30 cm (12 by 12 by 12 in). This size is adequate for accommodating 1-2 katydids, though opting for a larger tank is beneficial! Ensure that one side of the tank features mesh or gauze to facilitate proper ventilation.

Add a layer of substrate, about 5 to 8 centimeters (2.0 to 3.1 in) deep, to the tank floor. Opt for a substrate that absorbs moisture well, as the tank needs to maintain a humid environment. Suitable substrates include potting soil, small pebbles, or even tissue paper.

Maintain the tank temperature within the range of 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F). To achieve this, utilize a light bulb, as katydids require additional light beyond natural sunlight. Position the light at the tank's top and select a bulb with a wattage between 15 and 25 watts for optimal results.

Limit the tank's decor to maximize space. Since katydids don't require extensive decor, foliage provided for food will serve as natural embellishment. However, ensure ample vertical space for molting by adopting a minimalist approach to tank decoration.

Mist the tank interior daily to maintain moisture levels. Katydids thrive in warm, humid conditions. Spritz enough water into the tank to keep the substrate moist each day.

Perform weekly tank cleaning to prevent mold and fungal growth. Transfer your katydid to a separate holding tank, similar in setup to the main tank, during cleaning. Remove soiled substrate, droppings, and old leaves, replacing them with fresh, clean substrate.

Offer your katydid tree leaves and stems daily for sustenance. While all katydid species consume leaves and stems, some may also consume fruit, flowers, and small insects. If uncertain about your katydid's species, provide a basic diet of oak, bramble, hazel, hypericum, or butterfly bush leaves daily.

Use tank spraying to provide water for your katydid. Katydids obtain their water by drinking droplets from leaves rather than a bowl. By moistening the tank's interior, you fulfill your katydid's water needs without requiring a separate water container.

Exercise caution when handling your katydid. Katydids are delicate creatures, and while some may tolerate handling, they can jump considerable distances. Supervise closely when handling your pet outside its tank, and note that some may nip but without causing significant harm.

House at least 2 adult katydids in an optimal tank setup. With a male and female katydid and suitable conditions for humidity, temperature, and food, breeding can occur naturally. Opt for a relatively spacious tank, especially if you intend to increase your katydid population.

Include a plant with a sturdy stem in the tank. Female katydids, particularly field katydids, prefer to chew holes in thick plant stems to deposit their eggs. The specific plant type is not critical as long as the stem is sufficiently thick compared to the katydid's body.

Ensure 80% humidity in the tank for 60 days. Katydid eggs need high humidity levels for successful hatching, typically taking 45 to 60 days. Regularly moisten the tank to maintain humidity, especially important for the eggs' development and subsequent molting of young katydids.

• Unlike mantises or butterflies, katydids are not commonly sold in stores or online, so catching them in the wild is the primary method of acquisition. Search for wild katydids on tree branches, bushes, or leaves, particularly after rainfall.
• Katydids typically range from 3 to 14 centimeters (1.2 to 5.5 inches) in length, resembling green grasshoppers. However, you can distinguish katydids by their antennae, which are as long as their bodies, unlike grasshoppers with shorter antennae.
• To determine the sex of a katydid, note that males have a distinctive forked appendage on their abdomen and a slimmer body compared to females.