Katydid Surprise

 

So, this insect landed on a leaf in front of me. I only had time to take one picture before it jumped away again. Is it just me, or is it making a face at me? I see one of those arm-waving inflatable tube men. Click to enlarge.

Here's the uncropped picture, showing a pair of extremely long antennae. It is a male short-winged meadow katydid. I've seen meadow katydids before, but I guess not from this angle, because I have never noticed any cartoon-face markings on their backs! From the side, this guy would resemble a grasshopper with long antennae. Male short-winged katydids are known for singing buzzy female-attracting songs during both night and day. But, really, get a load of the antennae on the guy.