Songs of Insects

Clicker Round-winged Katydid (Amblycorypha alexanderi)

Song of a Clicker Round-winged Katydid (scroll down for explanation and additional recordings!).

With an appearance nearly identical to the Rattler Round-winged Katydid, the Clicker Round-winged Katydid can be identified by its unique clicking song. Found in the understory of deciduous woodlands, these endearing little katydids are docile and slow mov- ing. Yet, when encountered, they act unconcerned and seem to project an attitude that they are fully in charge. The wings may or may not have spots. This species, along with several other small amblycoryphids of similar appearance, have received a great deal of study recently, resulting in the description of several entirely new species.

Song: A measured series of raspy high-pitched clicks or zits, delivered at a rate of about 3–4 per second. The peak frequency is about 12 kHz. A click-series typically lasts about five or ten seconds, followed by several seconds of silence, then another series of clicks.

 
Sonogram of a Clicker Round-winged Katydid. © Wil Hershberger.