Meadow-katydid
Guides
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 attenuatus
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid, Lance-tailed Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus attenuatus is a meadow katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, found in North America. It is commonly known as the long-tailed meadow katydid or lance-tailed meadow katydid, referencing its distinctive elongated ovipositor. The species belongs to the subfamily Conocephalinae, a group abundant in grassland and wetland habitats of eastern North America. Like other meadow katydids, it produces species-specific acoustic signals through stridulation for mate attraction.
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 vicinus
Conocephalus fasciatus vicinus is a subspecies of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized katydids commonly known as meadow katydids or coneheads. Members of this subspecies are part of the larger Conocephalus fasciatus species complex, which includes several geographically variable forms across North America. These insects are known for their stridulatory songs produced by males to attract mates.
Conocephalus gracillimus
Graceful Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus gracillimus, commonly known as the graceful meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to North America, with records from Florida and broader North American distribution. As a member of the subfamily Conocephalinae, it belongs to a group of abundant orthopterans in the eastern United States and adjacent Canada.
Conocephalus hygrophilus
Conocephalus hygrophilus is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Rehn & Hebard in 1915. As a member of the genus Conocephalus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized katydids commonly known as lesser meadow katydids or coneheads. The species epithet "hygrophilus" suggests an affinity for moist or wet habitats. Like other Conocephalus species, it is expected to possess the characteristic long, thread-like antennae that distinguish katydids from true grasshoppers, along with enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping.
Conocephalus nemoralis
woodland meadow katydid
Conocephalus nemoralis, commonly known as the woodland meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to eastern North America, with records from states including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. As a member of the subfamily Conocephalinae, it shares characteristics with other meadow katydids, including relatively short wings and an elongated ovipositor in females.
Conocephalus nigropleuroides
tidewater meadow katydid
A small meadow katydid in the genus Conocephalus, described by Fox in 1912. Known from the southeastern United States coastal region. Like other members of subfamily Conocephalinae, it possesses the characteristic long, thread-like antennae typical of katydids and a prominent ovipositor in females. The species name references dark lateral markings ('nigro-' = black, 'pleur-' = side).
Conocephalus nigropleurum
Black-sided Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus nigropleurum, the black-sided meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan. As a member of the subfamily Conocephalinae, it shares characteristics with other meadow katydids and coneheads, including long antennae and association with grassy habitats.
Conocephalus occidentalis
Pacific meadow katydid
Conocephalus occidentalis, the Pacific meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in western North America, with distribution records from California and Oregon. As a member of the genus Conocephalus, it is part of a group commonly known as meadow katydids.
Conocephalus resacensis
Brownsville meadow katydid
Conocephalus resacensis, the Brownsville meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Rehn and Hebard in 1915. The species is found in North America, with distribution records indicating presence in Texas.
Conocephalus saltans
Prairie Meadow Katydid, Western Prairie Grasshopper, Wingless Prairie Grasshopper
Conocephalus saltans, commonly known as the prairie meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Despite common names suggesting otherwise, it is not a true grasshopper but a katydid (bush-cricket). The species is found in North America, with records from states including Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and others. It belongs to the subfamily Conocephalinae, which includes abundant orthopterans of grasslands and prairies.
Conocephalus spinosus
San Diego meadow katydid
Conocephalus spinosus, commonly known as the San Diego meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to North America and has been documented in California. As a member of the subfamily Conocephalinae, it shares characteristics with other meadow katydids, including association with grassy habitats. The species was described by Morse in 1901. Available records indicate limited observational data, with 19 observations documented on iNaturalist.
Conocephalus stictomerus
Spot-legged Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus stictomerus, commonly known as the spot-legged meadow katydid, is a small North American katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. As a member of the subfamily Conocephalinae, it belongs to a group of abundant orthopterans associated with grassy and meadow habitats. The species is documented from scattered records in the eastern United States, particularly Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia. Like other meadow katydids, it exhibits typical conocephaline traits including omnivorous feeding habits and stridulatory communication.
Conocephalus strictus
Straight-lanced Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus strictus, the straight-lanced meadow katydid, is a North American katydid notable for the female's exceptionally long, straight ovipositor that exceeds body length. The species exhibits wing dimorphism with short-winged (13–22 mm) and long-winged (21–30 mm) forms. Adults appear in late summer and occur year-round in dry grasslands, old fields, and pastures where they form dense aggregations. Males produce a faint, pulsating purr at 10–20 kHz.
Orchelimum
meadow katydid
Orchelimum is a genus of meadow katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, comprising 21 described species. These insects are characterized by their exceptionally long, thread-like antennae and are among the most abundant orthopterans in eastern North America and adjacent Canada. Males produce species-specific songs through stridulation, rubbing a file on one forewing against a scraper on the other. Many species exhibit opportunistic predation on other insects, particularly when plant food sources are limited or when seeking additional protein.
Orchelimum erythrocephalum
Red-headed Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum erythrocephalum is a North American katydid species in the meadow katydid genus Orchelimum. The common name refers to its distinctive red head coloration. Like other Orchelimum species, it inhabits grasslands and wetland edges where it feeds on both plant material and small insects. The species was described by entomologist William T. Davis in 1905.
Orchelimum fidicinium
Seaside Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum fidicinium, the seaside meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in the Eastern time zone of North America, with distribution records from the northeastern United States through Delaware, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. As a member of the genus Orchelimum, it shares characteristics with other larger meadow katydids, including omnivorous feeding habits that include both plant material and opportunistic predation on other insects.
Orchelimum gladiator
Gladiator Meadow Katydid, Gladiator Katydid
Orchelimum gladiator is a meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, characterized by its pale green coloration with variable dark brown markings on the occiput and pronotum. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females larger than males. It inhabits grasslands and meadows near water sources across the northern United States. The species is known to be parasitized by horsehair worms.
Orchelimum minor
lesser pine katydid, lesser pine meadow katydid
Orchelimum minor is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the lesser pine katydid or lesser pine meadow katydid. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, and Maryland. As a member of the genus Orchelimum, it belongs to a group of meadow katydids known for their omnivorous to opportunistically predatory feeding habits, consuming both plant material and other insects.
Orchelimum pulchellum
Handsome meadow katydid
Orchelimum pulchellum, the handsome meadow katydid, is a medium-sized katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is distinguished from closely related species by specific morphological features of the pronotum, cerci, and hind femora. The species is found in moist forests and wetlands across the eastern United States, where it feeds on pollen, foliage, and opportunistically on other insects. It is active from mid-summer through mid-autumn in the northern parts of its range.
Orchelimum superbum
superb meadow katydid
Orchelimum superbum, the superb meadow katydid, is a species of meadow katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. As a member of the genus Orchelimum, it shares characteristics with other meadow katydids, including long antennae and association with grassy or marshy habitats. The species was described by Rehn and Hebard in 1915.
Orchelimum vulgare
Common Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum vulgare, the common meadow katydid, is a North American katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It inhabits fields and low meadows across the central and eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Adults are active from midsummer through fall. The species exhibits omnivorous feeding habits, consuming plant material including grass seeds and forbs, as well as opportunistically preying on other insects.