How to Manage Pests

Katydids

Various species of katydids invade landscapes. Katydids resemble grasshoppers but have long antennae. The nymphs are wingless and may have black and white banded antennae.

Life cycle

Damage

Normally katydids are of little concern, however, high populations can cause damage to trees. Katydids may feed on leaves or fruit. Katydids do not eat the whole fruit. They often take a bite and move on, allowing the feeding site to become covered with grayish scar tissue and the expanding fruit to become misshapen.

Solutions

Control of katydids is not usually necessary or effective. There is little that can be done to protect trees from heavy populations. In areas where there is good biological control, parasites often attack the eggs of katydids.

Katydid adult