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Identify insect with striped antennae #871882

Asked June 06, 2024, 12:41 PM EDT

I had never seen this insect before. It has long, striped antennae and long legs with a strong grip! (I tried to brush it off my handrail using a twig, to no avail!) Can you tell me what this interesting insect is?

Philadelphia County Pennsylvania

Expert Response

I believe it is a Katydid Tettigoniidae

"To identify species within this genus, it is important to see the "terminalia" (parts at the end of the abdomen). The shapes of the parts of both the males and females can be very useful for identification, and often are the only means to reliably tell species apart. In males it is useful (often necessary) to see these parts from both the side and from above, with the shapes of the supra-anal plate and the subgenital plate being important for diagnosis. The shape of the wings is also useful for some species. Also, the color pattern of living specimens can be of use, but is rarely diagnostic."  

https://bugguide.net/node/view/7130


An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 06, 2024, 3:55 PM EDT

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