Katy Did What!

Actually this is an insect called a Katydid.   I found this guy sitting on top of a flower in the high bushes of my backyard.  I don't know why, but I'm always discovering something when I least expect it.  In fact, this is my first time seeing a katydid.  Here are a few facts about these creatures.

•       There are over 250 species in North America alone and over 6000 species in the tropical areas of the world.

•        Katydids eat leaves, flowers and sometimes dead insects.

•        They are the color green which gives them the  camouflage they need to protect themselves from predators such as wasps, spiders and ants.

•        They live for about one year.

•        They have wings. However, they do not fly very well. Instead they jump very fast.

•        They use sound to communicate from a distance.  In fact the males are known to have a sound producing organ attached to the hind angles of their front wings. Which can be mainly heard at night.

•        They are not social and prefer to live alone.

The Jumping Spider

Generally I am not a big fan of spiders.  I find them to be really creepy. In fact, I am usually the type of wife who yells and screams for  my husband to get rid of them when I spot them in the house.  One time while taking a shower, I looked to the side and there I saw a black fuzzy spider the size of a quarter on the shower wall. I never thought I could jump so high. However, since taking up photography I see these tiny creatures in a whole new light.  Don't get me wrong, I still find them to be creepy, but as I grow in my photography skills I'm starting to look for more interesting things to photograph.  The jumping spider is a very interesting creature.

 Here are some fun facts that may interest you.

•   There are over 3000 types of the jumping spider.
    
•  They do not form a traditional web like most spiders. In fact they hunt for their prey by sneaking up and pouncing on them.       They prefer to hunt for their meal during the day which consists of small insects.
•  They use their silk  as emergency jumping lines, to form a shelter and create casings for the eggs that they lay.
•        They have eight eyes which gives them great vision. Four in the front and two on each top side of the head. (As I was taking the photo above, I could see the spider following my every move as I was focusing in on him.  I found it fascinating and charming at the same time).
•       Their ability to jump so high comes from them increasing the blood pressure to the legs, which then causes the legs to extend out and shoot their bodies thru the air. ( Reminds me of "turbo boost" that Kit would get in "Knight Rider").
•       They can grow up to a 1/2 inch in size.

Like I said before. Spiders are creepy. However,  I do enjoy some of the charming qualities of this particular species.