Katydid from front

Photo by Jim Jung. All rights reserved.

Katydids

Our local Katydids sing in the summer. These large, green, arboreal, grasshopper-like insects hide in the trees and using rasps on their wings saw out their song to attract their mates with their incessant "Katy did, Katy didn't" call.

According to folklore they're debating the guilt or innocence of a girl named Katy who - depending on which version of the story you subscribe to - lied to her parents about some matter and compounded the lie by denying it, stole money destined for the church and was subsequently killed by a bolt of lightning from a clear evening sky, or poisoned her newly married sister and husband on their wedding night out of jealousy. There was some apparent doubt about who actually did what and now the insects sit in their trees and argue endlessly over her guilt or innocence.

Katydid from back

Photo by Jim Jung. All rights reserved.

Whether Katy did (or didn't) do whatever she's reputed to have done the calling of the Katydids marks the entrance of high summer and makes for pleasant summer evenings.

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