Orchelimum bullatum
Rehn & Hebard, 1915
Texas meadow katydid
Orchelimum bullatum, the Texas meadow katydid, is a of meadow katydid in the Tettigoniidae. It is found in central North America, with records from Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. As a member of the Orchelimum, it shares characteristics with other larger meadow katydids, including elongated and a tendency toward opportunistic .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Orchelimum bullatum: /ɔrˈkɛlɪmʊm bʊˈleɪtəm/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Meadow katydids in the Orchelimum are associated with tall grasses in wetlands, lush meadows, and prairies. Based on distribution records, this likely occupies grassland and marsh in the south-central United States.
Distribution
Recorded from Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The name reflects its association with Texas, though its range extends northward and eastward into the Mississippi River valley and adjacent states.
Seasonality
reach maturity in late summer and seek mates during this period. Activity likely peaks from August through September based on of related Orchelimum .
Diet
As a meadow katydid in the Conocephalinae, it likely consumes grass seeds and forb leaves and flowers. Members of Orchelimum have been observed as opportunistic on other insects, including leafhoppers, planthoppers, and smaller katydids, particularly when prey are injured.
Life Cycle
Development follows the typical hemimetabolous pattern for katydids: , nymph, and stages. Females receive a from males during mating, which includes a nutritious that the female consumes.
Behavior
Males produce songs through stridulation, rubbing a file on one forewing against a scraper on the other. Orchelimum males are typically "left-handed," with the left forewing overlapping the right. The likely exhibits the threat displays and opportunistic documented in related meadow katydids.
Ecological Role
Contributes to energy flow in grassland by converting plant to insect biomass. One study documented that three meadow katydid converted nearly 16% of rush biomass into biomass. Seed can reduce seed production of grasses and rushes by 30-50%.
Similar Taxa
- Orchelimum vulgareAnother larger meadow katydid with similar size and preferences, distinguishable by differences in male song and subtle morphological characters
- Conocephalus speciesSmaller meadow katydids in the same ; Orchelimum bullatum is larger and has proportionally longer wings
More Details
Taxonomic note
Described by Rehn & Hebard in 1915. The specific epithet 'bullatum' refers to the inflated or bubble-like appearance of some body part, possibly the pronotum or other structure.