Katydids vs Crickets, Grasshoppers, and Cicadas: How to Tell the Difference

Katydids, crickets, grasshoppers, and cicadas may all “sing,” but they belong to different insect families with distinct body shapes, sounds, and behaviors. Katydids have long antennae, leaf-like wings, and soft night calls, while the others differ in build, sound, and daily rhythm.

Why They’re So Often Confused

All four insects are part of the Orthoptera and Hemiptera orders, known for sound-making and summer activity. To the untrained eye—or ear—they seem similar. Yet, each species plays a unique ecological role and can be told apart once you know what to look (and listen) for.

Quick Comparison Table

Katydids vs Crickets

Katydids are sometimes called “long-horned grasshoppers”, but they’re actually closer to crickets genetically.

• Antennae length: Katydid antennae are longer than their entire body; crickets’ are long but shorter.

• Wings: Katydids’ wings mimic leaves for camouflage; crickets’ are flatter.

• Song: Katydids produce a “katy-did, katy-didn’t” rhythm by rubbing wings, whereas crickets make a steadier chirp.

• Behavior: Both are night singers, but katydids usually stay higher in vegetation.

Katydids vs Grasshoppers

These two confuse gardeners the most.

• Antennae: The simplest giveaway—long (katydid) vs short (grasshopper).

• Color and wings: Katydids blend into foliage; grasshoppers often show brown/green striping and jump powerfully.

• Feeding: Katydids nibble; grasshoppers chew aggressively and can defoliate crops in swarms.

• Time of activity: Katydids sing at night; grasshoppers click and buzz during the day.

In short: Grasshoppers are more likely to be true pests; katydids are usually benign background musicians.

Katydids vs Cicadas

Despite both being loud in summer, they’re not even in the same order.

• Sound: Cicadas use drumming membranes (tymbals), not wings, to make their loud buzz.

• Diet: Cicadas feed on tree sap, not leaves.

• Body: Cicadas are heavier, with clear wings held roof-like over the body.

• Timing: Cicadas emerge in daylight and during heatwaves; katydids call gently at dusk.

In short: Cicadas are tree dwellers and harmless to plants; katydids are leafy night singers.

Are Katydids Crickets or Grasshoppers?

Neither—though they’re distant cousins.

• Katydids and crickets share a suborder (Ensifera) within Orthoptera.

• Grasshoppers belong to Caelifera, differing in anatomy and song structure.
  So when someone calls a katydid a “leaf grasshopper,” it’s technically wrong—but understandable!

Which Insect Is More Harmful to Plants?

• Grasshoppers: High destructive potential; can devastate crops.

• Katydids: Light feeding; usually cosmetic damage.

• Crickets: Rarely harm plants, occasionally nibble seedlings.

• Cicadas: Do not feed on foliage—harmless.

Conclusion: Katydids are the least concerning from a pest-control standpoint.

Ecological Importance of Katydids

Katydids are valuable in ecosystem balance:

• Serve as prey for birds and bats.

• Help aerate vegetation through light feeding.

• Provide acoustic indicators of biodiversity—healthy habitats host multiple katydid calls at night.

Practical Tip for Gardeners and Growers

If you’re unsure what insect you’re hearing or seeing:

1. Observe antennae length—long means katydid.

2. Listen at dusk—soft, patterned call = katydid.

3. Check for plant injury—minimal = katydid; heavy = grasshopper.

4. Avoid unnecessary spraying—katydids rarely justify pesticide use.

If treatment is ever needed (e.g., nursery ornamentals with chewing damage), consider spot application of labeled insecticides such as spinosad or lambda-cyhalothrin under local regulations.

FAQ

Are katydids crickets?
No, but they’re close relatives within the Orthoptera order.

Do katydids and grasshoppers make the same sound?
No. Katydids rub their wings; grasshoppers use leg-wing friction, producing a very different tone.

Which one bites or stings?
None of them sting. Katydids might lightly nip if handled; grasshoppers can nibble when trapped; neither is dangerous.

Can katydids damage crops?
Only in localized, dense populations. They’re not major agricultural pests.

Growers and Pest Managers

If chewing damage from leaf-feeding insects affects your greenhouse, orchard, or ornamental crops, we provide insecticide formulations tailored for export markets—pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, spinosyns, and more—with OEM labeling and COA/MSDS support.
Contact us to discuss region-fit actives and customized packaging.

Chemical Control — Best Active Ingredients for Managing Katydids, Grasshoppers, and Similar Insects

When populations of katydids, grasshoppers, or crickets rise to damaging levels—especially in greenhouses, nurseries, fruit orchards, or large vegetable fields—chemical control may be necessary to protect crops. Because these insects share chewing mouthparts and leaf-feeding behavior, the same insecticidal actives can often manage all three groups effectively.

Below are the recommended active ingredients categorized by their mode of action, target effectiveness, and common formulation types used in professional agriculture.

1. Pyrethroid Insecticides — Fast Knockdown and Contact Kill

Key actives: Lambda-cyhalothrin, Deltamethrin, Beta-cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Alpha-cypermethrin

• Mode of Action: Affect sodium channels in insect nerve cells, causing paralysis and death.

• Benefits: Immediate control of adult and nymph stages; strong contact and residual activity.

• Recommended Use: Foliar spray on field crops, ornamental plants, fruit trees, and greenhouse structures.

• Notes: Avoid overuse to prevent resistance; apply during late afternoon or evening to minimize impact on pollinators.

2. Neonicotinoid Insecticides — Systemic and Long-Lasting

Key actives: Imidacloprid, Acetamiprid, Thiamethoxam, Dinotefuran

• Mode of Action: Target the insect’s nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to feeding cessation and death.

• Benefits: Systemic movement inside plant tissues protects new growth; effective against nymphs and adults feeding on tender leaves.

• Recommended Use: Soil drench or foliar spray in nursery crops, vegetables, fruit trees, and greenhouse setups.

• Notes: Observe local regulations; use responsibly to protect beneficial insects.

3. Spinosyns — Natural-Origin Bioinsecticides

Key actives: Spinosad, Spinetoram

• Mode of Action: Derived from soil bacteria Saccharopolyspora spinosa; act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and GABA channels.

• Benefits: Effective on chewing insects with lower toxicity to mammals and beneficial arthropods; suitable for IPM programs.

• Recommended Use: Greenhouse ornamentals, fruit crops, and organic production systems.

• Notes: Ideal for sustainable and eco-sensitive production sites.

4. Diamide Insecticides — Modern, Targeted Muscle Disruptors

Key actives: Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole

• Mode of Action: Stimulate calcium release in muscle cells, causing paralysis and death.

• Benefits: Long residual control, low risk to non-targets, minimal odor.

• Recommended Use: High-value crops like citrus, grapes, and vegetables under high pest pressure.

• Notes: Excellent for rotation to prevent pyrethroid or neonicotinoid resistance.

5. Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) — Population Management

Key actives: Diflubenzuron, Lufenuron

• Mode of Action: Interfere with chitin synthesis, preventing molting and development in immature stages.

• Benefits: Suppresses population growth without harming adult pollinators; complementary to contact insecticides.

• Recommended Use: Nurseries, orchards, and landscapes for long-term control of nymphs.

6. Tank-Mix and Rotation Recommendations

For broad-spectrum coverage and to reduce resistance risk:

• Combine a fast-acting pyrethroid (e.g., lambda-cyhalothrin) with a systemic neonicotinoid (e.g., acetamiprid or dinotefuran) when pressure is high.

• Rotate with spinosad or chlorantraniliprole every 2–3 cycles for different modes of action.

• Always check label compatibility and local registration status before tank mixing.

7. Application Timing and Safety Tips

• Timing: Treat at dusk when katydids and crickets are most active.

• Coverage: Direct spray to leaf undersides and dense foliage where insects hide.

• Safety: Follow label directions, wear PPE, and respect re-entry intervals.

• Pollinators: Avoid application during flowering or bee foraging hours.

Summary Table

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Context

Chemical control should be the final step in an IPM plan combining:

• Habitat management and light reduction.

• Natural predator conservation.

• Periodic scouting and population threshold assessment.

Only when population densities surpass the economic threshold should insecticides be introduced. This ensures sustainable control and maintains ecological balance.

OEM & Supply Support for B2B Clients

At Pomais Agrochemicals, we supply a full portfolio of insecticides for katydid, grasshopper, and cricket control, including:

• Pyrethroid concentrates (EC, CS formulations)

• Neonicotinoid + Pyrethroid mixtures for broad activity

• Spinosad-based bioinsecticides for eco markets

• OEM customization (bottle, label, and language options)

• Documentation support: COA, MSDS, and registration data

Contact our technical team for formulation guidance, dosage tables, and market-fit recommendations based on your region’s pest spectrum and regulations.