Katydid

[pepperj]

We have seen them most summers on the house.
This one was walking ever so cautious across the window.
It would stick its foot in the mouth, then take a step.
Fascinating to watch.

 

[robertk]

Neat bug. : ). Why the “taste the foot” behavior?

 

[pepperj]

Neat bug. : ). Why the “taste the foot” behavior?

If you enlarge the photo it looks like a pad on the foot by its head.
The Mrs said maybe it's like a suction cup.
Wet it first before sticking it to the glass.

 

[pepperj]

True Katydids | Songs of Insects https://share.google/wNpsqU6LzZ7NiL6qv

 

[AusTexDude]

You wanna see a Katydid? This is called a Red Eyed Devil. They will chase you on foot when provoked. They don't have the "Flight" instinct, only the "Fight". I encountered one of these a few years ago. They are not small either.

 

[Red-Coat]

Neat bug. : ). Why the “taste the foot” behavior?

If you enlarge the photo it looks like a pad on the foot by its head.
The Mrs said maybe it's like a suction cup.
Wet it first before sticking it to the glass.

Great picture!

Katydids have pads called ‘pulvilli’ covered in tiny hairs onto which they secrete a sticky fluid from glands on their feet. That helps them adhere to smooth surfaces like walls or windows. The pads have to be kept clean to maintain effectiveness, so the ‘foot in mouth’ behaviour is a kind of grooming process.