Bacci asks: I have been finding these tiny seed-like capsules stuck in the mosquito netting in my house. My house is open and all kinds of critters can get in. Who might be making these mysterious deposits and what are they?
Tropical Gardener answer: A few years ago, I found similar tiny deposits in the margins of leaves on my farm. My research resulted in the discovery that they were katydid eggs. Since I had seen a few katydids on the farm, it made sense.
Katydids are also known as the Japanese broad winged grasshopper with the botanical name Holochlora japonica. Though they are somewhat similar to grasshoppers in appearance, they are actually in the cricket family (Tettigoniidae) which has more than 6,400 species. The katydids found here in Hawaii are usually green with relatively large wings that are very leaf-like in appearance. They live mostly in trees during the day and become active at night. The males have a distinct mating call that sounds like “katy did,” thus their name. The females usually chirp a response to the males they prefer. The songs are governed by temperature. In warm weather they can be continuous and are described as trills. Though you may see some katydids around during the day, it is usually their nighttime calls that alert you to their presence.
The eggs you have found may hatch into katydid nymphs but they may not look like the adults. Often young katydids will mimic other insect species, flowers or leaves to avoid predation when they are small and young. As they molt they become larger and after their final molt they will mate and lay lots of eggs, some of which you may find in odd places.
Some questions that appear here were originally directed to Kona’s Certified Master Gardeners. You may contact them with questions at konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening events
Farmer direct markets
Wednesday: Hooulu Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay
Wednesday: Sunset Farmers Market, 2 p.m. to sunset, Kmart parking lot.
Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, Keauhou Shopping Center
Kamuela Farmer’s Market, 7 a.m. to noon, Pukalani Stables
Sunday: South Kona Green Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook
Monday through Saturday: U-Pick greens and produce, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant advice lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Thursday: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, 322-4892
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES at Komohana in Hilo, 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu