Lesser Meadow Katydids
Conocephalus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Orthoptera
- Suborder: Ensifera
- Infraorder: Tettigoniidea
- Family: Tettigoniidae
- Subfamily: Conocephalinae
- Tribe: Conocephalini
- Genus: Conocephalus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Conocephalus: //ˌkɒn.əˈsɛf.əl.əs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Conocephalus is a genus of bush crickets also known as lesser meadow katydids. Described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1815, this genus encompasses at least 18 species in a range of habitats, primarily in fields and meadows, with adults displaying various morphological characteristics that distinguish them from related genera like Orchelimum.
Physical Characteristics
Conocephalus species range from 10 to 27 mm in length, measured from head to wingtip. They are generally smaller and slimmer than related genera, with males distinguished by the shapes of their cerci and females by the shape of their ovipositors, which are usually straight as opposed to curved in Orchelimum. Many species exhibit a clear green coloration on the face.
Identification Tips
Females can be identified by having straight ovipositors, while Orchelimum females typically have curved ovipositors. The forewing lengths also vary among species; some species have short forewings and others possess longer ones that can exceed the abdomen's length. Clear green facial coloration is common among many Conocephalus species.
Habitat
Conocephalus species inhabit fields and meadows, typically found in areas with abundant forbs and grasses.
Distribution
Globally distributed with a significant presence in North America (Michigan, North Carolina), Africa, Australasia, and parts of Asia and South America.
Diet
They primarily feed on leaves, flowers, pollen, and seeds of grasses and forbs. Some species are known to occasionally prey on other insects, though this is less common than in Orchelimum.
Life Cycle
Conocephalus species generally have one generation per year. Females lay their eggs in the stems of grasses.
Reproduction
Females oviposit in grass stems, which provides a suitable environment for the developing eggs.
Ecosystem Role
Conocephalus species contribute to the ecosystem by serving both as herbivores and as occasional predators on other insects, thus playing a role in the food web.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
The term 'conehead' can be misleading as it is often associated with other related genera like Ruspolia.
Tags
- Conocephalus
- katydids
- bush crickets
- orthoptera
- insecta