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Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Broadwinged Katydid (Microcentrum rhombifolium)

L. M. Diepenbrock, K. L. Ray, and J. D. Burrow

Life Cycle

Broadwinged katydid females lay eggs in a row on citrus leaf edges. The eggs are oval, brown or gray, and laid along the edge of the leaf. Eggs are visible on the leaf surface. Nymphs closely resemble adults.

Adult broadwinged katydids are 2 to 2.5 inches long and bright green. Their threadlike antennae measure longer than the body. The bright green color of katydids helps them conceal among citrus leaves.

Damage

Katydidscausefoliardamage.Likegrasshoppers, theyleaveleafedgesnotchedandjagged.Katydidsalsofeedonfruit,leaving large smooth or sunken areas on fruit surfaces.

Even though they are common throughout Florida, katydids rarely cause extensive damage to citrus. Younger trees are more susceptible to damage and defoliation by katydids than are older trees. Nurseries and young groves may experience occasional population problems.

High katydid populations are most common from June through September.

Katydid eggs inserted on a leaf edge.
Figure 1. Katydid eggs inserted on a leaf edge.
Credit: K. L. Ray, UF/IFAS

 

Magnified view of katydid egg.
Figure 2. Magnified view of katydid egg.
Credit: K. L. Ray, UF/IFAS

 

Immature katydid.
Figure 3. Immature katydid.
Credit: K. L. Ray, UF/IFAS

 

Adult broadwinged katydid, Microcentrum rhombidolium.
Figure 4. Adult broadwinged katydid, Microcentrum rhombifolium.
Credit: UF/IFAS CREC

 

Fruit damage from katydid.
Figure 5. Fruit damage from katydid.
Credit: J. D. Burrow, UF/IFAS

 

Peer Reviewed

Publication #ENY-2109

Release Date:September 19, 2024

Related Experts

Diepenbrock, Lauren M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Burrow, Jamie D.

staff

University of Florida

Related Collections

Part of Citrus Pest Quick Guides series

Organism ID

About this Publication

This document is ENY-2109, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 2024. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2024 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 

About the Authors

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, assistant professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center; Katie L. Ray, summer 2019 student intern, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, and Jamie D. Burrow, Extension program manager, UF/IFAS Citrus REC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Jamie Burrow
  • Lauren Diepenbrock
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