Songs of Insects

Agile Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum agile)

Song of a Agile Meadow Katydid (scroll down for explanation and additional recordings!).

With its muted green body set against creamy wings and head, the Agile Meadow Katydid is a subtly attractive member of its genus. Prefers open weedy and grassy areas that receive lots of sun. As the common name implies, these katydids are fast and agile. When approached, they first hide by moving to the far side of a stem or leaf. When further threatened, they will quickly jump several times before finally stopping to rest. Even when captured, their sudden, swift movements make them tough to keep in a net or cage.

Agile Meadow Katydid

Left cercus from above.

Agile Meadow Katydids can be found in the piedmont of the eastern US from New Jersey to eastern Texas. However, this species is on the move. Agile Meadow Katydids have been found in several Counties in Ohio. Please see this page and help us track the westward movement of this species.

Song: A rapid series of ticks followed by a dry, buzzy trill of variable length at 8–20 kHz. Loud and easily heard. May give lots of ticks without trills. Sings both day and night.

Other Sound Examples:

Agile Meadow Katydids are showing up farther west every year. Here is a recording of a small colony singing from the cattails at the edge of a pond in western Berkeley Co., WV.
 

Agile Meadow Katydids singing at the edge of a pond in Berkeley Co., WV on September 3, 2019. 28.3C ©Wil Hershberger.

Sonogram of a Agile Meadow Katydid. © Wil Hershberger.