This is Brodie with Illinois Extension and I’m here with a new “voice of the wild”

at a little over a half an inch long, this diminutive katydid would quite prefer going unnoticed in the weedy enclaves where they like live. They’re notable for their very small wings, though not all individuals share that trait; a rare few are “macropterous” or born with quite long wings that are better suited for flying long distance. That probably helps them recolonize good habitat after a pasture or grassy ditch has been grazed or mowed. This is the short-winged meadow katydid.

meadow katydids aren’t particularly easy to identify by sight, but short winged males are something of an exception; along with the typical green body they have a distinctly yellow rear and both sexes have a brown stripe running down the back. Unlike the large-bodied coneheads which also like weedy habitats, meadow katydids tend have subtle songs. The short-winged is no exception. Their song is a brief series of clicks, usually between one and five, followed by gentle buzzing. Listen for the short-winged meadow katydid’s song between July and October.

Thank you to the Macaulay library at the Cornell lab for today’s sound. Learn more about voice of the wild at go.illinois.edu/VOW