“Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made heaven . . . the earth . . . the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.”
Nehemiah 9:6.
Katydids live mostly in the southern and western parts of North America. They are a relative of grasshoppers. The loud, shrill call of the male sounds like “katydid-katydid,” which undoubtedly is where their name came from. But often they make a strong, penetrating screech, or some consider it a loud chirping call.
Their colorful, two-inch bodies are attractive. The Creator has given them the ability to change color. Most often they are a pretty shade of green, but the color automatically changes to match the plant on which they are climbing or resting. Birds which would like them for dinner can be right next to them and not even be aware of them, as long as the katydids remain still. Many of the katydids look so much like lichen (a kind of fungus) that when they climb up a plant covered with fungus it is almost impossible to tell where they are as long as they sit still.
These insects are most active in summer, especially in July and August when the weather is very hot. They make their shrill rasping call by rubbing together the rough areas of their wings. These sounds are made especially loud by a paper-thin tiny amplifier under their wings. Their calls, along with those of crickets, locusts, cicadas and many other insects, create an amazing chorus when uninterrupted on an otherwise quiet afternoon. Some katydids continue their songs all night.
The Creator has provided them with remarkable hearing. It has been determined that they can distinguish many sounds which our ears are not capable of hearing. In some species, their long, thin, V-shaped antennae are longer than their bodies.
Most katydids live in trees and bushes and eat young twigs and leaves. Their long hind legs enable them to travel quickly over the tree branches. They can also fly short distances.
Whether it be a whale, elephant or other huge animal, or an ostrich, a hummingbird or a tiny insect, let us never forget that all are a part of the Lord God’s wonderful creation. This also includes you, and if you trust in Him as your Saviour He has a home in heaven waiting for you when your life here is ended. Will you be there?
OCTOBER 16, 1994
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
ML-10/16/1994