Conocephalus

Thunberg, 1815

Lesser Meadow Katydids, Coneheads

Conocephalus is a of bush- () in the , commonly known as lesser meadow katydids or coneheads. The genus was established by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1815 and contains approximately 150 recognized with worldwide distribution. Members are characterized by their relatively small size compared to related genera, slender build, and distinctive cone-shaped . The genus includes subgenera distributed across multiple continents, with species inhabiting grasslands, meadows, and wetlands.

Conocephalus saltans by (c) Matt Pelikan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Pelikan. Used under a CC-BY license.

Conocephalus brevipennis by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

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.

Identification

Conocephalus are distinguished from the related Orchelimum by being smaller and slimmer in overall build. The is usually green, and females possess straight . length varies among species: some always have short forewings, some usually have short forewings but occasionally produce individuals with forewings longer than the , and some always have long forewings. Species-level identification relies on male shape and female ovipositor . Body length ranges from 10 to 27 mm measured from to wingtip.

Images

Habitat

in this inhabit fields, meadows, and grasslands, including wetland margins and prairies. Some species occupy specific such as grassland among coastal sand dunes.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution across multiple continents including North America, South America (approximately 25 ), Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Asia (China, India, Korea, Japan), and Australasia. Specific regional records include the UK, where species such as Conocephalus fuscus (Long-winged Conehead) and Conocephalus dorsalis (Short-winged Conehead) occur and are expanding their ranges northward and westward.

Seasonality

are present in late summer and autumn, reaching maturity by September and October in temperate regions. Activity extends through summer into early autumn.

Diet

Herbivorous and . Feeds on leaves, flowers, pollen, and seeds of grasses and forbs. Also preys opportunistically on other , including smaller , , and .

Life Cycle

Females singly into grass stems using their elongated . Development includes egg, , and stages with nymphs resembling miniature wingless adults.

Behavior

Males produce -specific calling songs through by rubbing a on one against a on the opposing forewing. Some species produce entirely ultrasonic calls with broad frequency spectra reaching 90 kHz. Females approach males based on song quality, with the buzz component of the male's song serving as a . During copulation, the female mounts the male; the male transfers a consisting of a sperm container and a nutritious gelatinous that the female consumes after mating.

Ecological Role

that convert substantial into biomass; one study documented three meadow converting nearly 16% of rush biomass into katydid biomass. Seed can reduce seed production of rushes and grasses by 30-50%. Serve as for including Sphex ichneumoneus (Great Golden Digger Wasp), which paralyzes katydids to provision nests for offspring.

Human Relevance

Some are expanding their ranges in response to climate change and serve as indicators of warming trends. The Long-winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus) and Short-winged Conehead (Conocephalus dorsalis) are among UK species with documented northward range expansion.

Similar Taxa

OrchelimumLarger and more body; Conocephalus are smaller and slimmer with usually green
NeoconocephalusLarger conehead exceeding 7 cm; Conocephalus are substantially smaller at 10-27 mm
RuspoliaAlso called coneheads; distinguished by morphological features and distribution