Katydids

Two species of katydids are present in the North Coast pear district: forktailed bush and Mediterranean katydids. The forktailed bush katydid is about 1.5 inches long from head to wing tip while the Mediterranean katydid is 1.25 inches long. Several characteristics can be used to differentiate these two species. The hind wings in the Mediterranean katydid are about 0.1875 inch (7.5 mm) longer than the front wing while in forktailed bush katydid they are only 0.3125 inch (4.5 mm). The body and legs of the Mediterranean katydid are marked with dark red dots both in the adult and nymphal stages. The forktailed bush katydid has red line markings. The male forktailed bush katydid has a dorsal genitalia plate protruding as a conspicuous forked up-turned process. The nymphs' body of both species is cylindrical, strongly arched, green in color, with long antennae that are banded black and white.

Eggs are white, kidney-shaped, and about 0.125 inch long (3 mm). In fall, Mediterranean katydid females insert their eggs singly lengthwise into the outer bark layer of grapevines, and forktailed bush katydids insert their eggs into leaf edges of evergreen shrubs and trees. Eggs of both species hatch in May.

Small nymphs are most easily seen when feeding in weeds such as little mallow. Mediterranean katydids overwinter in vineyards and migrate to pear orchards starting when they are third instars in early June. In June and July, nymphs can be seen feeding on fully-grown tender leaves on new shoots. Adult katydids appear in mid-summer. Male song is heard at dusk and in the evening as a series of three or four "zeek" sounds a few seconds apart. Females respond after a little over a second with ticking, which attracts the males. There is only one generation a year in the North Coast.

Katydids may occasionally cause damage by feeding on pears shortly before harvest, especially in orchards that have not been treated with broad-spectrum pesticides. High populations of this pest occur in cycles, and they may cause damage one year but not in the next. Damage has been observed in orchards next to riparian vegetation or vineyards.

Young nymphs feed on leaves; as the nymphs become 4th and 5th instars and adults, they may feed on the fruit as it softens. Pear damage is first seen 3 to 4 weeks before harvest. Katydid nymphs tend to feed on a small portion of a fruit (about 0.5 inch wide and 0.25 inch deep) before moving on to another feeding site. Hence, a few katydids may damage a large number of fruit in a short time. Nymphs and adults also chew holes in foliage. Small nymphs feed in the middle of the leaf, creating small holes, whereas larger nymphs and adults feed on the leaf edge.

It is important to treat populations early in the season if they have been a problem in the past and are detected in the orchard.

Treatments with azadirachtin (Neemix) and the Entrust formulation of spinosad are acceptable in an organically certified orchard.

Look for small nymphs on weeds such as little mallow and lambsquarters beginning in mid-May. Also, use a sweep net to detect populations in the cover crop. In late May and early June examine the 3rd or 5th leaf from the tip of growing shoots for feeding damage and for katydids sitting on top of the leaf. Early in the season when katydids are small, they create small holes in the center of the leaf, whereas cutworms and other leaf feeders will be feeding at the leaf edge. Look at 50 trees throughout the orchard, and examine each tree for 30 seconds.

If you find feeding damage, look for nymphs, because other leaf feeders can cause similar damage. Nymphs can be difficult to see on the tree. Treatment may be necessary if you find both nymphs on the tree and damage.

Monitor fruit once a week starting in mid-July to detect any feeding damage. Take a fruit sample at harvest to assess the effectiveness of the current year's IPM program and to determine the needs of next year's program. Sample 200 fruit per bin from 5 bins per orchard (or per 20-acre block in large orchards) for a total of 1,000 fruit. For more information on sampling at harvest, see HARVEST FRUIT SAMPLE.