Katydid
Guides
Aglaothorax gurneyi
Gurney's shieldback
Aglaothorax gurneyi, known as Gurney's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid described by Rentz and Birchim in 1968. The species was originally described as Neduba gurneyi before being transferred to the genus Aglaothorax. It belongs to the tribe Apteropedetini within the subfamily Tettigoniinae. The species has been documented in California.
Aglaothorax longipennis
Santa Monica shieldback katydid, Santa Monica Mountains Shieldback
Aglaothorax longipennis is a shieldback katydid endemic to the United States, specifically known from the Santa Monica Mountains region of California. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae, which includes katydids, crickets, and bush-crickets. The species was originally described as Neduba longipennis before being transferred to the genus Aglaothorax. It has been studied at Topanga State Park, indicating a restricted range within coastal southern California.
Aglaothorax ovata
ovate shieldback, ovate shield-back katydid
Aglaothorax ovata is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the ovate shieldback. It is found in North America and is characterized by its short wings and thickened pronotum that forms a shield over the thorax. Adults are active in late summer and fall. The species includes six recognized subspecies with varying distributions and morphological traits.
Amblycorypha
Round-headed Katydids, False Katydids, Bush-crickets
Amblycorypha is a genus of North American round-headed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing approximately 14 described species. These insects are renowned for their exceptional leaf-mimicry, with wing venation closely matching the vein patterns of leaves. They are known for their acoustic communication, with males producing songs via stridulation to attract females. Some species reach prodigious sizes in tropical regions, and males provide nuptial gifts to females during mating.
Amblycorypha alexanderi
Clicker Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha alexanderi, commonly known as the clicker round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Walker in 2003 and is native to North America. The species belongs to a genus known for remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage and acoustic communication through stridulation.
Amblycorypha arenicola
Sandhill Virtuoso Katydid
Amblycorypha arenicola is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. It is commonly known as the Sandhill Virtuoso Katydid and is associated with sandy habitats in the southeastern United States. The species has been recorded from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It belongs to the genus Amblycorypha, which includes several species of bush katydids.
Amblycorypha bartrami
Bartram's round-winged katydid
Amblycorypha bartrami, commonly known as Bartram's round-winged katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was described by Walker in 2003 and is found in North America. As a member of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group known for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage and acoustic communication through stridulation.
Amblycorypha cajuni
Cajun round-headed katydid
Amblycorypha cajuni is a species of round-headed katydid (bush-cricket) in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Walker in 2004. Like other members of its genus, it possesses remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage with wing venation that closely resembles leaf veins. The species is known from the Gulf Coast region of the United States, specifically Louisiana and Mississippi. As with related Amblycorypha species, males produce courtship songs using stridulatory organs on their forewings, and females detect these songs through tympanal organs located on their forelegs.
Amblycorypha carinata
Carinate Katydid
Amblycorypha carinata is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Rehn and Hebard in 1914. It occurs in the southeastern and eastern United States, with records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Massachusetts. The species belongs to a genus known for producing loud, distinctive calls. It has been documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus).
Amblycorypha huasteca
Texas false katydid
Amblycorypha huasteca, commonly known as the Texas false katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the round-headed katydid genus Amblycorypha, a group renowned for exceptional leaf-mimicry. The species occurs in the south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other Amblycorypha, it produces species-specific songs through stridulation of forewing structures to attract mates.
Amblycorypha insolita
Big Bend Oblong-winged Katydid, Big Bend False Katydid
Amblycorypha insolita is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Rehn & Hebard in 1914. Known as the Big Bend oblong-winged katydid or Big Bend false katydid, this species is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northeastern Mexico. It belongs to a genus renowned for exceptional camouflage and acoustic communication.
Amblycorypha oblongifolia
oblong-winged katydid
Amblycorypha oblongifolia, commonly known as the oblong-winged katydid, is a species of bush-cricket in the family Tettigoniidae. The species is notable for exhibiting unusual color polymorphism, with individuals occurring in green, tan, pink, or rare dark tan/orange morphs. These color variants are genetically determined and present from birth, not influenced by sex, age, or environment. Green is the most common morph, while pink and tan are rare, and dark tan or orange is very rare. The species is found throughout the northeastern and midwestern United States.
Amblycorypha parvipennis
Western Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha parvipennis, the western round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri. Males produce calling songs for acoustic communication, a key feature of their mating behavior. The species exhibits typical katydid traits including leaf-mimicking wing venation and sound production via forewing stridulation.
Amblycorypha rivograndis
Rio Grande Valley False Katydid
Amblycorypha rivograndis is a species of round-headed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Thomas J. Walker in 2004. The specific epithet "rivograndis" refers to the Rio Grande Valley, indicating its geographic association with this region of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it belongs to a group commonly known as false katydids or bush-crickets, recognized for their remarkable leaf-mimicking camouflage.
Amblycorypha rotundifolia
rattler round-winged katydid, Round-winged Katydids
Amblycorypha rotundifolia, commonly known as the rattler round-winged katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species is characterized by its rounded wings with venation that closely resembles leaf veins, providing effective camouflage. It belongs to a genus of katydids known for their acoustic communication and cryptic morphology. The species has been documented as prey for the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), which paralyzes katydids to provision its underground nests.
Amblycorypha uhleri
Uhler's virtuoso katydid, Uhler's katydid
Amblycorypha uhleri, commonly known as Uhler's virtuoso katydid or Uhler's katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a North American species known for its distinctive song produced by stridulation of the forewings. Like other members of the genus Amblycorypha, it exhibits remarkable leaf-mimicry through wing venation patterns and green coloration, serving as camouflage against predators.
Anabrus
Mormon cricket
Anabrus is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, comprising four described species including the extinct Anabrus caudelli. The genus is best known for Anabrus simplex, commonly called the Mormon cricket, a large flightless insect famous for forming massive migratory bands that cause significant agricultural damage in western North America. Despite the common name, these insects are not true crickets but katydids characterized by their gregarious behavior, distinctive morphology, and periodic population outbreaks.
Anabrus simplex
Mormon Cricket
Anabrus simplex, commonly known as the Mormon cricket, is a large flightless shieldbacked katydid (family Tettigoniidae, subfamily Decticinae) native to western North America. Despite its common name, it is not a true cricket. The species is notable for its periodic outbreak populations that form large migratory bands, causing significant damage to rangeland forage and cultivated crops. It exhibits a sex-role reversed mating system where males provide nuptial gifts and females compete for mates. The species has been documented from low-elevation sagebrush steppe to alpine tundra above 11,000 feet.
Apote robusta
robust apote
Apote robusta, commonly known as the robust apote, is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Caudell in 1907. The species is found in North America, with records from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada.
Arethaea
Thread-legged Katydids
Arethaea is a genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as thread-legged katydids. The genus contains at least 14 described species distributed primarily in western and southwestern North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their elongated, slender legs and are typically associated with arid and semi-arid habitats including sand dunes, grasslands, and shrublands.
Arethaea ambulator
Hill Country Thread-leg Katydid, Walking Thread-leg Katydid
Arethaea ambulator is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, characterized by its exceptionally long, thread-like legs. The species was described by Hebard in 1936 and is endemic to the hill country region of central Texas. It belongs to a genus of slender, elongate katydids commonly known as thread-leg katydids.
Arethaea arachnopyga
Big Bend Thread-leg Katydid, Spider-tail Thread-legged Katydid
Arethaea arachnopyga is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Rehn and Hebard in 1914. The species is known from the Big Bend region of Texas and adjacent Mexico, where it inhabits arid and semi-arid environments. Like other members of the genus Arethaea, it possesses the characteristic extremely slender, thread-like hind legs that give these katydids their common name.
Arethaea brevicauda
California thread-leg katydid, short-tail thread-leg katydid
Arethaea brevicauda is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the California thread-leg katydid or short-tail thread-leg katydid. It is characterized by its slender, thread-like legs and relatively short cerci compared to other members of the genus. The species is native to western North America and is active primarily during the warmer months.
Arethaea carita
Carita thread-leg katydid
Arethaea carita is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Scudder in 1902. It is commonly known as the Carita thread-leg katydid. The species belongs to the genus Arethaea, a group characterized by their slender, thread-like legs. It occurs in North America with confirmed records from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Arethaea coyotero
Mojave Thread-leg Katydid, Coyotero Thread-leg Katydid
Arethaea coyotero is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the Mojave thread-leg katydid or coyotero thread-leg katydid. The species was described by Hebard in 1935. It belongs to the genus Arethaea, a group characterized by their elongated, thread-like hind legs. Distribution records indicate presence in Arizona and Nevada.
Arethaea gracilipes
thin-footed thread-leg katydid
Arethaea gracilipes is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the thin-footed thread-leg katydid. The species was described by Thomas in 1870 and is found in North America. It is characterized by its slender, thread-like legs that give the species its common name. The genus Arethaea is part of the tribe Insarini, a group of katydids known for their elongated, delicate morphology.
Arethaea grallator
Stilt-walker Katydid
Arethaea grallator, commonly known as the stilt-walker katydid, is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Scudder in 1877 and is found in North America, with confirmed records from Oklahoma and Texas. The species belongs to a genus characterized by elongated, slender body proportions.
Arethaea mescalero
Mescalero Thread-leg Katydid
Arethaea mescalero is a species of thread-leg katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Hebard in 1936. This phaneropterine katydid is endemic to sand dune habitats in the southwestern United States, particularly in New Mexico. The species is characterized by its slender, elongated legs adapted for life in sandy environments. It is one of several species in the genus Arethaea, commonly known as thread-leg katydids, which are specialized for sandy habitats.
Arethaea phalangium
Eastern Thread-leg Katydid
Arethaea phalangium is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the eastern thread-leg katydid. It belongs to the genus Arethaea, which is characterized by species with extremely slender, thread-like legs—an adaptation referenced in both the genus name and the specific epithet 'phalangium' (meaning 'spider-like'). The species is found in the southeastern United States.
Arethaea phantasma
Rio Grande thread-leg katydid, Rio Grande katydid
Arethaea phantasma is a species of phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the Rio Grande thread-leg katydid. It was described by Rehn & Hebard in 1914. The species is characterized by extremely slender, thread-like legs that give the genus its common name. It occurs in sand dune habitats and arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Ateloplus hesperus
Western Shieldback
Ateloplus hesperus, commonly known as the Western Shieldback, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. First described by Hebard in 1934, this insect is native to western North America, with confirmed distribution records from California. It belongs to the shieldback katydids, a group characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology. The species is part of the diverse Orthoptera fauna of the western United States, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Atlanticus
Eastern Shieldbacks
Atlanticus is a genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as eastern shieldbacks. The genus comprises at least 50 described species distributed discontinuously across North America and temperate eastern Asia. These insects belong to the tribe Drymadusini within the subfamily Tettigoniinae. Species in this genus are predatory, possessing enlarged mandibles adapted for capturing and consuming other insects.
Atlanticus americanus
American shieldback, American shield-bearer
Atlanticus americanus, commonly known as the American shieldback or American shield-bearer, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America. The species was first described by Saussure in 1859 and includes two recognized subspecies: Atlanticus americanus americanus and Atlanticus americanus hesperus.
Atlanticus davisi
Davis's shieldback, Davis's shield-bearer
Atlanticus davisi is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is commonly known as Davis's shieldback or Davis's shield-bearer. The species is found in North America, with confirmed records from Virginia. As a member of the subfamily Tettigoniinae, it belongs to a group characterized by their flattened, shield-like pronotum that extends over the abdomen.
Atlanticus glaber
Atlanticus glaber is a North American katydid (family Tettigoniidae) in the tribe Drymadusini. The species is known from Florida and has been documented as prey of the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus). Like other members of the genus Atlanticus, it belongs to a group of shield-backed katydids with terrestrial habits.
Belocephalus davisi
Davis's conehead
Belocephalus davisi, commonly known as Davis's conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the tribe Copiphorini, a group characterized by their distinctive cone-shaped head projections. The species was described by Rehn and Hebard in 1916 and is native to the southeastern United States.
Belocephalus sabalis
Palmetto Conehead
Belocephalus sabalis, commonly known as the palmetto conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the conehead subfamily Conocephalinae, characterized by the distinctive forward-projecting cone on the head. The species is native to North America, with records primarily from Florida and the southeastern United States.
Brachyinsara
least katydid
Brachyinsara is a genus of phaneropterine katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Rehn & Hebard in 1914. The genus contains at least two described species: Brachyinsara hemiptera (least katydid) and Brachyinsara magdalenae. These katydids are part of the tribe Insarini within the subfamily Phaneropterinae, a group known for their often small size and arboreal habits.
Brachyinsara hemiptera
least katydid
Brachyinsara hemiptera, commonly known as the least katydid, is a small phaneropterine katydid species first described by Hebard in 1939. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae and is characterized by its diminutive size compared to other katydids. The species is distributed in North America, with records from Mexico and California.
Bucrates malivolans
Cattail Conehead
Bucrates malivolans, commonly known as the Cattail Conehead, is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It occurs in the southeastern United States, with records from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. The species is associated with wetland habitats, particularly those supporting cattail vegetation. It belongs to the conehead tribe Copiphorini, characterized by elongated cone-shaped heads.
Capnobotes
shield-backed katydids, longwings
Capnobotes is a North American genus of shield-backed katydids (family Tettigoniidae) containing approximately nine described species. Members are commonly known as "longwings" due to their elongated forewings. The genus was established by Scudder in 1897 and is primarily distributed across arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Species exhibit morphological diversity in body form and wing structure, with common names reflecting these traits (slender, sooty, spatulate, etc.).
Capnobotes arizonensis
Arizona longwing
Capnobotes arizonensis, commonly known as the Arizona longwing, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species was first described by Rehn in 1904 under the basionym Drymadusa arizonensis. It is native to southwestern North America, with documented occurrences in Arizona, California, and Nevada. As a member of the shield-backed katydid group, it belongs to a lineage characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology.
Capnobotes attenuatus
slender longwing
Capnobotes attenuatus, commonly known as the slender longwing, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Rentz and Birchim in 1968. The species is found in western North America, with records from California.
Capnobotes bruneri
Bruner Longwing
Capnobotes bruneri, commonly known as the Bruner Longwing, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with records from California. The species was described by Scudder in 1897. As a member of the Tettigoniidae family, it belongs to the group of insects commonly known as katydids or bush-crickets, characterized by elongated bodies and long antennae.
Capnobotes fuliginosus
sooty longwing
Capnobotes fuliginosus, commonly known as the sooty longwing, is a large katydid species found in arid regions of western North America and Mexico. First described by Cyrus Thomas in 1872, this species reaches up to 75 mm in length and is characterized by its brownish-gray coloration, long wings, and notably darker hindwings that are displayed when the insect is startled. It produces a loud, continuous, shrill song and is known to be preyed upon by the wasp Palmodes praestans.
Clinopleura minuta
Minute Shieldback
Clinopleura minuta is a small katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the Minute Shieldback. First described by Caudell in 1907, this species is endemic to California and represents one of the few documented species in the genus Clinopleura. As a shieldback katydid, it belongs to a group characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology.
Conocephalinae
Coneheads and Meadow Katydids
Conocephalinae is a subfamily of katydids (family Tettigoniidae) comprising two main groups: meadow katydids (tribe Conocephalini, including genera Conocephalus and Orchelimum) and conehead katydids (tribe Copiphorini, including genera Neoconocephalus and Pyrgocorypha). Members are characterized by elongated bodies, long thread-like antennae, and often possess a distinctive forward-projecting cone or fastigium of the vertex. The subfamily is abundant in eastern North America and adjacent Canada, particularly in grasslands, wetlands, and meadows. Many species are known for their stridulatory songs produced by rubbing forewings together, and they exhibit diverse feeding habits ranging from herbivory to opportunistic predation.
Conocephalus brevipennis
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
The short-winged meadow katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis) is a small, flightless katydid native to North America and the Caribbean. Males produce species-specific stridulations by rubbing forewing structures together to attract mates. Females are distinguished by a prominent sword-like ovipositor used to deposit eggs in protected locations. The species is active primarily in late summer and autumn.
Conocephalus cinereus
Caribbean Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus cinereus is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the Caribbean Meadow Katydid. It belongs to the subfamily Conocephalinae, which includes abundant orthopterans in eastern North America and adjacent regions. As with other Conocephalus species, it possesses the characteristic long, thread-like antennae that distinguish katydids from true grasshoppers. The species has been documented across the Caribbean region and parts of Central and North America.
Conocephalus fasciatus fasciatus
Conocephalus fasciatus fasciatus is a subspecies of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the genus Conocephalus, commonly known as meadow katydids or coneheads. The subspecies is currently listed as a synonym in taxonomic databases.