True Katydid info.

[ColorCham427]

I would love some information on the common katydid found on the east coast. Pterophylla camellifolia. I found a great place to find them last night when I was out walking. It was a little before 2 a.m. and it was too easy. I snagged 11 of them in just 10 minutes. I am going out again with a REAL flash light and a net, although hand picking them is extremely easy.

I really need some information on keeping these, breeding them etc. I have heard that they need tree bark to lay their ova? Is this true? Any help, extremely appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Where's the Katydid forums when you need it?

 

[chams1]

My melleri LOVE the ones we have here - not sure if they are the same kind as yours.

 

[Ellron]

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=222265
http://blog.hmns.org/?p=359
These seem to have some good info.
Other than that I'm clueless.
They eat leaves and some eat dead insects, it varys from species from species;

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Check out these guys they sell and I think can offer breeding tips.

http://doubleds.org/newuniquepetpg.html

We have got two kinds of Katydids here in the California Motherlode area a green tree Katydids and a brown grass Katydids.

 

[dodolah]

are they seriously selling katydids? isn't there some legal issues in selling one in US?
if i am mistaken, sign me up. I bet my chams would love these..

 

[ColorCham427]

There are probably legal issues with selling katydids.

Actually, I was told by a few large scale mantis breeders that a lot of mantis species are ILLEGAL and yet people post them all over online as pet sales... and even food items to be cool with eBay rules lol.

I read on one of the many forums I belong to, that blaptica dubia roaches are in fact illegal to sell. I'm aware that Florida doesn't allow them to be shipped there... hah!

The bugs that rarely get posted online for sale are locusts and stick bugs...? However, stick bugs are readily available ALL THE TIME.

I have a feeling katydids are bred in captivity because of their annoyingly long life cycle. I'm going to give it a go anyways.

 

[james L]

Whoa! I have never seen a list of roaches for sale that long. So many species!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

There are probably legal issues with selling katydids.

Actually, I was told by a few large scale mantis breeders that a lot of mantis species are ILLEGAL and yet people post them all over online as pet sales... and even food items to be cool with eBay rules lol.

I read on one of the many forums I belong to, that blaptica dubia roaches are in fact illegal to sell. I'm aware that Florida doesn't allow them to be shipped there... hah!

The bugs that rarely get posted online for sale are locusts and stick bugs...? However, stick bugs are readily available ALL THE TIME.

I have a feeling katydids are bred in captivity because of their annoyingly long life cycle. I'm going to give it a go anyways.

I think you should be OK as long as you do not move them to an area where they are considered an invasive species.

 

[Syn]

I think you should be OK as long as you do not move them to an area where they are considered an invasive species.

Poor Floridians.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Poor Floridians.

Land of the invasive species.

 

[ColorCham427]

Got over 60 adults now, caught a couple pairs getting it on just now. I am feeding them rose and blackberry leaves, I was talking to my friend, are pathos not a good idea to feed them? I'm going to remove the pathos just in case. Wish me luck!

It's a good time going out there at 1-2ish am. So many adult males are out on the highest part of the plant. There are a few sp. of plants out where I go, but I noticed where ever there is bramble, there are tons more.

I am leaving the little Katydids to continue their journey out there, I only collected a few as feeders.

I read they lay their eggs on twigs... I'm going to place a sheet of bark and some twigs in the screen cage that they're in for now. I got to move them to another cage, they're over crowded right now!

These insects are beautiful, especially when you see them all grouped together, they look like an odd plant! LOL

 

[dodolah]

Got over 60 adults now, caught a couple pairs getting it on just now. I am feeding them rose and blackberry leaves, I was talking to my friend, are pathos not a good idea to feed them? I'm going to remove the pathos just in case. Wish me luck!

I wouldn't.. no nutritional value for the chameleon. and, on top of the fact that Pothos has mild toxicity and high oxalate. I would try dandelion.

 

[ColorCham427]

Dandelion? That's a great idea, but for now I am going to feed the adults the plants they choose over other plants... I decided to keep the adults and raise them til they die on their own. The eggs hatch? Save some and feed most off!

 

[ColorCham427]

Quick update. I am realizing how these insects do NOT enjoy each other's company! I am going to move them in a large 2x2x4 cage with a whole lot more leaves to climb around and chew on.

I am really hoping on getting this specie's eggs to hatch without having to go through the 5 month cold period! wish me luck!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Good luck it can be done!

 

[ColorCham427]

Update, so I had around 60 adults, about half died off. Pathos killed them?

I recently collected another batch of 25-30.

Or over crowding? Not sure but do any of you know, would a Pathos be harmful to the Katydids?

I moved them into a 2x2x4 ft. screen cage, have them outside in the shade. I mist the crap out of them 4 times a day and actually pour about 2 cups of water on the bottom. These guys drink a lot! I am feeding them bramble leaves right now. Took the Pathos out maybe 4-5 days ago..

I have collected 43 ova which is cool, I am incubating some outside in containers, letting the Jersey temp. fluctuate and hopefully they'll hatch during spring time next year...

I put some in the fridge and I am going to take them out in 4 months and bring them into a nice 75 degree room, and gradually raise it to 90.

I am also keeping some in an 85-90 degree room right now, maybe they'll hatch without going through that cold period...?

These insects are so pretty, I believe I have two sp. in the same enclosure. One sp. is banana yellow with lime green eyes, and the other sp. is forest green with fire engine red eyes. Mixing them OK? Don't care lol, I find them literally inches away from one another at night time when I go out hunting for them.

I always thought Katydids laid their ova in the stems of plants, or bark... These guys seem to just drop them? Hopefully some hatch! These make excellent meals for larger chamsl, kind of a waste feeding smaller nymphs to smaller chams. I'd much rather feed adults to adults..


I picked out 4 adult males for my one sub-adult panther. I am feeding them romaine lettuce, I'll try offering them some cricket crack... Anybody know the nutritional value of these things? And should I gut load them for a whole week before feeding them off ? I kind a went a head and already fed some off already though...

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I would fed them Blackberry leaves and possibly Rose leaves. The Kaytidids seem to perfer those here in California.

 

[ColorCham427]

That's what I do feed them, I feed them bramble. But for gutloading, I feed them romaine lettuce and am going to offer them my wet mix and some cricket crack.

My wet mix is just the kammer's wet mix...

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

That's what I do feed them, I feed them bramble. But for gutloading, I feed them romaine lettuce and am going to offer them my wet mix and some cricket crack.

My wet mix is just the kammer's wet mix...

Sorry I mixed up bramble for mixed field grasses. Rose leaves should work as well.