It may come as a surprise to many readers of this blog that my favorite insect is not a dragonfly—it is the Handsome Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum pulchellum). I still recall the first time that I encountered a Handsome Meadow Katydid ten years ago and the resulting double take—I could not believe what my eyes were seeing. It was love at first sight. The bright rainbow colors of the body were astonishing and seemed so unreal that one of my friends wondered if I had colorized a photo that I had posted.
It is the eyes, though, that make this insect so attractive for me. There is just something so alluring about those blue eyes, eyes that I don’t expect to see in an insect.
I spotted this Handsome Meadow Katydid on Tuesday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It was hopping about in the vegetation and I was thrilled when it finally perched on a stalk where I could get an unobstructed shot. I captured images from multiple angles. The first image provides a close look at the colors and details of this cool-looking insect. The second image gives you a look at the incredibly long antennae of the katydid. One of the quickest ways to distinguish between a grasshopper and a katydid is to look at the antennae—grasshoppers have relatively short, thick antennae and katydids’ antennae are often longer than their own bodies.
Do you have a favorite insect? I ask this strange question every few years and only occasionally will I get a response. In the past, some have told me that they like ladybugs or Monarch butterflies. What about you?
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That is indeed a beautiful insect! I had no idea. I’ve never thought about a favorite insect but I’d probably have to vote for the bumblebee. When I’m gardening, I’m surrounded by them and they seem very companionable. We work side by side for hours. I’m sure I’m anthropomorphizing here because they are so intent on their jobs and probably don’t care about me unless I disturb their nest which happened once by accident. I had a swollen bottom lip for several days. But I still love bumblebees. At the moment, we have several praying mantises in our gardens which has prompted me to read about them. They are a fascinating but not a favorite as the female is known to bite off the head of her mating partner which can continue the act minus his head!! They also have been known to pray on hummingbirds. They have no venom and eat their prey alive which I’ve witnessed and it is disturbing.
Picking a favorite insect would be like choosing a favorite child. Can’t be done. Not by me, anyhow.
A couple of bugs that always make me stop and spend time admiring, chasing, attempting to photograph would be the Robber Flies and our huge Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers.
The former due to their unique appearance and ferocious nature. The latter due to their incredible colors and patterns.
Love your Kaytdid! Handsome in or out of the meadow.
Have a great weekend, Mike.
We have meadow katydids, too, but they’re certainly not as colorful as your species. At least, I’ve never seen one. Those long antennae are something. I have one photo that shows a nymph cleaning its antennae by drawing them through its mouth. It’s not publication quality, but every time I come across it, I laugh.
That’s beautiful. What wonderful colours. Hmm…not sure if I have a favourite insect. I do love ladybugs, but they freak me out when they fly away. I’d probably say butterflies are my favourites because they’re beautiful and they don’t bite or sting.
Those are beautiful photos, Mike. You have really made those colours glow.
I think fluffy, plump bees are my favourite insects but I also like stick insects and mantises. And scarab beetles.
Nice captures, Mike, and this is a real beauty. I wonder if all that color confuses any predators.
My favorites are the dragonflies, not only for their looks but their impressive flying skills.
All those colours in a Katydid.. totally awesome. No wonder this is your fav although I was surprised it’s not a dragonfly! I’ve tweeted a link. Nigel thought your Katydid pic (that he saw on my screen while passing by) would make a nice poster and I agree 🙂
I can see why it’s a favorite, Mike. Such color for an insect family that is usually not all that colorful at all. I don’t have a favorite insect but this would certainly be among a group fo them.
They aren’t really technically insects, but I love my spiders!!!
Technically you are correct, of course, but I sort of categorize spiders as insects too. 🙂
I think a lot of people do. Even my insect identification app has spiders, too.
Very nice & colorful Mike! My favorite is any kind of Dragonfly in front of my camera😀
I love your response, Reed. It is good to give each subject the same degree of focus and attention. 🙂