Katydids visited our back porch on the past several weekends. The way their bodies were designed to look like leaves impressed me, and also made me think about how much of a conundrum these insects are. In fact, it made very confused as to my beliefs in evolution and god. In the end I suppose that the concepts are compatible. But what a marvel to see something designed to be so camouflaged as a katydid.
After looking on Wikipedia, I learned that there are approximately 6,400 species of katydids around the world. I wanted to see more of these fascinating insects, and so I searched for photos on Flickr. What you see here are some of the more beautiful and interesting photos I found, combined with several of my own.
Top Photo Credit: chdwckvnstrsslhm on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Photo Credit: © Levi T. Novey
Photo Credit: Aussiegall on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Photo Credit: Shek_Graham on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Photo Credit: Orin Optiglot on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Photo Credit: © Levi T. Novey
Photo Credit: emills1 on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit: James Jordan on Flickr under a Creative Commons license
Mother Earth
I have a recent katydid story too – i just love the pictures you pulled together.
http://bestwellnessconsultant.com/2008/08/24/the-katydid-synchronicity-new-beginnings-karen-hanrahan-best-of-mother-earth.aspx
Bob
I find it amazing that you profess to how specialized these insects are but choose the word designed, then go on to say there are about 6400 species of this type. Your logic in this regard is extremely, alarmingly flawed. Ask all of the babies born today with leukemia or body malformations; Ask them how they like their ‘design’. Get some perspective and use it. Beautiful pictures by the way.
Levi Novey
To Mother Earth: Thanks for sharing your very interesting set of katydid stories. I enjoyed them and have also personally found that at times animals can appear as messengers.
To Bob: Please forgive my poor articulation of thoughts about evolution and god, sometimes it’s hard to express my thoughts on the matter concisely. I think what you are suggesting is that my use of the word “design” does not recognize the contradiction posed by the massive diversity of species of katydids? In other words, 6400 species have evolved to be different rather than having been created individually (by a god)?
I’m not really sure what the connection is with children who born with diseases either (perhaps that life isn’t fair, thus science over god?).
All I can tell you is that I’m much more on the agnostic side of things, and am a hardcore believer in evolution as a natural process and a serious believer in science. On the other hand, it seems somewhat implausible to me that a bunch of chemicals began to randomly combine, resulting in the great amount of diversity in plant and animal species we have today… I thus leave open the possibility of there being a god.
As someone who has studied nature and animals extensively, I recognize that there are always imperfections that are not kind and comfortable (such as those with our children)… But these imperfections also contribute to our diversity and strengths as well.
If you check back in, please clarify your thoughts as I’d like to hear more. Thanks!
selma jones
HI Levi, really enjoyed your pictures of katydids and your words. Last night while paying bills, I noticed a “grasshopper” in the bathroom. After going on line, it appears that the creature in my office was a katydid. Your photos and words were wonderful. thank you for sharing. Best, Selma Jones, acupuncturist
jean dean
I would love to see your your pictures,But i can not see any.
Jeff McIntire-Strasburg
Jean– Thanks for letting us know… we’ve had some issues with missing photos since we moved the blog over to Important Media… I’ll see if I can find them.
Gabi
Check out this one:
http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/photos-of-the-very-rare-pink-katydid.html
Thanx for your photos!
Helped with my project.
Kelly Denise
Your photos are fantastiic! Thanks for sharing. Our band is named KD DiD for the actual insect the katydid, and the songwriters intials.. I wished I had a good photo to use for cover art on our marketing stuff and found you. Are you allowing commercial use of your photo, even though we may never make money selling our songs, but could be the next big hit?
Jeff McIntire-Strasburg
None of these photos are ours, Kelly… you’d need to check with the rights owners about using any of them. Best of luck with your music!