The katydids pictured and most likely to be seen at Phil Hardberger Park are called the Central Texas leaf katydid (Paracyrtophyllus robustus). The males make a repetitive sound to attract females by rubbing their wings together in an action called stridulation. Females are usually silent and listen for males with a tympanum (eardrum like structure) on their front legs! What??!! The reason ears are on their legs rather than their heads is to have a larger distance between the ears which enables them to detect the direction of sound waves. The ability to detect direction helps them move toward a potential mate and away from predators. Males also have tympanums on their legs.
