Dragonstone,
Those are katydids. We have them all over. That is what you hear calling at night- the two to three syllable calls.

They make a rough sound, kind of like when you run a comb on your fingernails. It sounds like "zz-zz-zz" or "ka-ty-did".

They eat leaves, but not a lot, IMPE - tend to be nocturnal, I believe.

hey guys I got a good one! I have seen 3 of the beautiful katydids recently. is it legal to kill them? sorry I forgot to take a picture..

Is it LEGAL to kill katydids? Ummm...no, they are not protected by the Department of Natural Resources. It's just senseless to kill them, not illegal.

It's amazing! Just found one in my lounge today

Katydids usually hide up in trees and do not come out, so I don't see them very often. They can get this virus which turns them brilliant lavender. I think the virus eventually kills them.

Chuck, I'm interested in information about the virus that affects katydids. Can you lead me to literature/websites?

I am aware of genetic mutations and even purple morphs, but not a virus.

A little info on the iridovirus and sowbugs: http://arachnoboards.com/threads/purple-pill-bugs.78150/

Woodlouse and iridovirus: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2009/07/13/sowbug-infected-with-iridovirus/

Google image search: Here

The iridovirus affects katydids and some grasshoppers too. You can search for iridovirus and katydids now that you know the virus name.

I just found out they don't nibble on leaves. I thought they did. I found one last year near my nibbled strawberry leaves.

I can't imagine where you saw that they don't feed on plants (leaves and fruit), zzackey. That's exactly what they eat. There are some predatory species in other parts of the world, but won't be found here.

In most situations, they aren't considered a major pest, but they are known to be a problem to citrus and other tree fruits. As mentioned earlier in this thread, they are more likely to be found in the tops of deciduous trees, munching away.

This is on the unit next to my bfs unit at the storage unit wat is it

Wat is it

They like to land in my hair at night. you think they want to make a nest. I like them but sometimes they scare the poop out of me!