Bush crickets — the common name used in many parts of the world for katydids and their relatives (family Tettigoniidae) — are large, robust insects with powerful hind legs and long antennae that often exceed their body length. In Arizona, numerous species inhabit desert shrubs, riparian vegetation, and suburban gardens. Many are masters of camouflage, with leaf-like wings that make them nearly invisible in vegetation. Males produce loud, rasping or buzzing calls from within shrubs and trees, often at considerable volume. Bush crickets are omnivores that feed on plant material and small insects. Some larger species can deliver a painful pinch with their mandibles if handled, but they are not venomous and pose no medical threat. They are not structural pests and are generally considered beneficial components of desert ecosystems.