Tettigoniidae
Guides
Neoconocephalus caudellianus
Caudell's conehead
Neoconocephalus caudellianus, commonly known as Caudell's conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to southeastern North America, with confirmed records from Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi. As a member of the genus Neoconocephalus, it is among the largest katydids in eastern North America, with some congeners exceeding seven centimeters in length. Like other conehead katydids, males produce species-specific calling songs through stridulation of modified forewings.
Neoconocephalus melanorhinus
black-nosed conehead
Neoconocephalus melanorhinus, commonly known as the black-nosed conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is one of the larger conehead katydids, with some members of the genus Neoconocephalus exceeding seven centimeters in length. The species is found in eastern and southeastern North America. Like other coneheads, it produces sound through stridulation, rubbing specialized structures on its forewings together to create species-specific songs.
Neoconocephalus nebrascensis
Nebraska conehead
Neoconocephalus nebrascensis, the Nebraska conehead, is a species of conehead katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, particularly in the central United States including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas. Conehead katydids are among the largest members of the subfamily Conocephalinae, with some species exceeding seven centimeters. They are characterized by their powerful mandibles capable of cracking grass seeds.
Neoconocephalus palustris
marsh conehead
Neoconocephalus palustris, commonly known as the marsh conehead, is a large katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the conehead group, characterized by a distinctive forward-projecting cone on the head. The species is found in wetland habitats across eastern North America. Like other members of the genus Neoconocephalus, it is among the largest katydids in its range, with some individuals exceeding seven centimeters in length.
Neoconocephalus retusus
Round-tipped Conehead
Neoconocephalus retusus, commonly known as the round-tipped conehead, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Adults range from 37 to 52 mm in length and are active during late summer and autumn. The species is found in the eastern United States and southern Canada, typically in wet grassy and weedy habitats.
Neoconocephalus robustus
robust conehead, crepitating conehead
Neoconocephalus robustus, commonly known as the robust conehead or crepitating conehead, is a North American katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is notable for producing one of the loudest insect songs on record, reaching 116 decibels at a peak frequency of 8 kHz—audible from 500 meters away even inside a moving vehicle with closed windows. The song has a whining quality at distance but becomes painful to hear at close range. This species belongs to the subfamily Conocephalinae, a group characterized by their elongated, cone-shaped heads.
Neoconocephalus velox
swift conehead
Neoconocephalus velox, known as the swift conehead, is a species of conehead katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to North America, with records from the southeastern United States including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. As a member of the genus Neoconocephalus, it is among the larger katydids, though specific measurements for this species are not well documented.
Obolopteryx brevihastata
Common Short-wing Katydid
A katydid species in the subfamily Phaneropterinae, distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Distinguished from congeners by male genitalic and tegminal characters. The specific epithet refers to the relatively short ovipositor.
Obolopteryx castanea
Chestnut Short-winged Katydid, Chestnut Short-wing Katydid
Obolopteryx castanea is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The species is known from North America, with distribution records from Texas and northeastern and Gulf regions of Mexico. Formerly classified under the genus Dichopetala, it was moved to Obolopteryx based on morphological and taxonomic revisions. The common name refers to its chestnut coloration and reduced wing morphology.
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 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 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.
Paracyrtophyllus
western true katydids
Paracyrtophyllus is a genus of western true katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Caudell in 1906. The genus contains at least two described species: P. excelsus (Chisos katydid) and P. robustus (truncated true katydid). These insects are found in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico, with observations concentrated in Texas.
Paracyrtophyllus robustus
Central Texas Leaf-Katydid, Truncated True Katydid
Paracyrtophyllus robustus is a true katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Caudell in 1906. It is endemic to central Texas and surrounding regions of North America. The species is commonly known as the central Texas leaf katydid or truncated true katydid, reflecting both its geographic restriction and its leaf-mimicking appearance. It is among the more frequently observed katydid species in its range, with over 2,400 documented observations.
Pediodectes bruneri
Bruner Shieldback
Pediodectes bruneri, commonly known as the Bruner shieldback, is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from Texas. The species is characterized by the typical shield-backed katydid morphology, where the pronotum extends posteriorly to cover much of the abdomen. Information on specific biology and ecology of this species remains limited in the available literature.
Pediodectes daedalus
Pediodectes daedalus is a species of shieldback katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The genus Pediodectes comprises wingless or short-winged katydids distributed across the Great Plains of North America. Adults of this genus are typically found in prairie and grassland habitats, often associated with herbaceous vegetation. Species in Pediodectes are known for their cryptic coloration, though some individuals may exhibit more contrasting markings. The genus is taxonomically challenging, with species identification often requiring examination of morphological details beyond external coloration.
Pediodectes stevensonii
Stevenson's shieldback
Pediodectes stevensonii, known as Stevenson's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the genus Pediodectes, which comprises flightless katydids distributed across the Great Plains of North America. The species is characterized by its wingless condition and distinctive coloration patterns that differ from the more cryptic green typical of many katydids.
Pediodectes tinkhami
Tinkham's Shieldback, Tinkham's shieldback katydid
Pediodectes tinkhami, or Tinkham's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in North America, with records from Texas and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Pediodectes, it is wingless as an adult, which can make distinguishing adults from nymphs difficult. Species identification within Pediodectes is challenging from photographs alone due to variable color patterns and age-related changes in appearance.
Phaneropterinae
Leaf Katydids, Sickle-bearing Bush Crickets, False Katydids, Round-headed Katydids
Phaneropterinae is a large subfamily of katydids (family Tettigoniidae) comprising approximately 2,060 species in 85 genera worldwide. Members are commonly known as leaf katydids, sickle-bearing bush crickets, false katydids, or round-headed katydids. The subfamily name derives from the type genus Phaneroptera, meaning 'visible wing,' referring to the exposed tips of the inner wings in many species. The group was first erected by Hermann Burmeister in 1838 and represents one of the most diverse lineages within Tettigoniidae.
Plagiostira
shield-backed katydids
Plagiostira is a North American genus of shield-backed katydids (family Tettigoniidae) containing at least three described species. It is the sole genus in the monotypic tribe Plagiostirini, established by Storozhenko in 1994. The genus was erected by Scudder in 1876, with Plagiostira albonotata designated as the type species. Species in this genus are large, robust katydids associated with arid and semi-arid habitats of the southwestern United States.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
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Gillette's shieldback
Plagiostira gillettei is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Caudell in 1907. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, with records from California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. One subspecies, P. g. utahensis, is endemic to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Kane County, Utah. The common name honors an individual named Gillette, likely the collector or an entomological colleague.
Plagiostira gillettei gillettei
A subspecies of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, recorded from arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States. The type subspecies of Plagiostira gillettei. One observation from a 2018 collecting trip in New Mexico/Texas documented a large individual with brachypterous (short-winged) adults.
Plagiostira gillettei utahensis
Plagiostira gillettei utahensis is a subspecies of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by Tinkham in 1962. It belongs to a genus characterized by large body size and brachypterous (short-winged) adults. The subspecies is distributed across the western United States including California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with arid and semi-arid habitats.
Plagiostira mescaleroensis
Mescalero Shieldback
Plagiostira mescaleroensis is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Tinkham in 1960. It is endemic to the Mescalero Sands region of southeastern New Mexico, where it inhabits sand dune ecosystems. The species belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive morphological adaptations to arid environments. Like other members of Tettigoniidae, it is nocturnal and possesses sound-producing capabilities, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Platylyra californica
California Chaparral Katydid
Platylyra californica is a katydid species endemic to California, commonly known as the California Chaparral Katydid. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae and is associated with chaparral and coastal scrub habitats. The species was described by Scudder in 1898 and has been documented in over 1,100 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-recorded within its restricted range.
Platyoplus gilaensis
Gila Shieldback
Platyoplus gilaensis, commonly known as the Gila Shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is the sole described species in the monotypic genus Platyoplus. The species was described by Tinkham in 1973 and is known from the southwestern United States.
Pyrgocorypha
coneheads
Pyrgocorypha is a genus of conehead katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Carl Stål in 1873. The genus comprises approximately 16 described species distributed across the Americas and southern and eastern Asia. Members of this genus are recognized by their distinctive head morphology, particularly the modified fastigium (cone) that projects forward from the vertex. The hook-faced conehead (Pyrgocorypha uncinata) is among the most distinctive North American species, characterized by a pronounced hook at the tip of its cone.
Pyrgocorypha uncinata
Hook-faced Conehead
Pyrgocorypha uncinata, commonly known as the hook-faced conehead, is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It is distinguished by its distinctive hook-shaped cone (fastigium), which curves downward at the tip and gives the species its common name. The species occurs in the southeastern United States, with records extending to northern Arkansas at the western edge of its range. Like other conehead katydids, it produces sound by stridulation and is active during the warmer months.
Scudderia
Scudder's Bush Katydids, bush katydids
Scudderia is a genus of bush katydids in the subfamily Phaneropterinae, established by Stål in 1873. Species in this genus are medium-sized insects, 30–40 mm in length, with a transcontinental distribution across North America. They are herbivorous, feeding on flowers as nymphs and woody deciduous plants as adults. Several species are economically significant as pests in citrus orchards and stone fruit production, particularly Scudderia furcata, the fork-tailed bush katydid. Males produce species-specific calling songs using file-and-scraper structures on their forewings, and species identification typically requires examination of the male supra-anal plate morphology.
Scudderia fasciata
treetop bush katydid, black-striped katydid
Scudderia fasciata is a species of bush katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the treetop bush katydid or black-striped katydid. It is native to North America, with documented records from the northeastern and north-central United States. Like other members of the genus Scudderia, it is an arboreal insect associated with trees and shrubs. The species was described by Beutenmüller in 1894 and is classified within the subfamily Phaneropterinae.
Scudderia mexicana
Mexican bush katydid
Scudderia mexicana, the Mexican bush katydid, is a phaneropterine katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. Adults measure 30–38 mm in length and possess slender wings. Nymphs are distinguished by a horn located between the antennae. The species has been documented feeding on leaves, including those of big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla).
Scudderia pistillata
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Scudderia pistillata is a species of bush katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the broad-winged bush katydid. It is native to North America and is one of eight recognized species in the genus Scudderia found in the United States and southern Canada. Like other bush katydids, it is primarily nocturnal and well-camouflaged in vegetation.
Sparasionidae
Sparasionidae is a family of parasitic wasps in the superfamily Platygastroidea. The family contains five extant genera—Sparasion, Mexon, Listron, Sceliomorpha, and Archaeoteleia—plus one extinct genus (Electroteleia) known from Eocene Baltic amber. The genus Sparasion is the most diverse with 141 valid species. All known species are egg parasitoids of orthopterans, specifically katydids (Tettigoniidae). The family exhibits a disjunct distribution, occurring in the Nearctic, Palearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions but absent from the Neotropics and Australasia.
Steiroxys strepens
Noisy Shield-backed Katydid, noisy shieldback, shield-backed katydid
Steiroxys strepens is a shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, first described by Fulton in 1930. It is known from limited observations in North America, particularly Oregon. The species belongs to a genus characterized by a distinctive dorsal shield-like structure formed by the pronotum extending over the abdomen.
Steiroxys trilineatus
Three-lined Shieldback, Three-lined Camel Cricket
Steiroxys trilineatus is a shieldback katydid native to western North America, recognized by the three pale longitudinal stripes running along its dorsal surface. This flightless, ground-dwelling species inhabits grassland and sagebrush steppe ecosystems, where it occupies a cryptic lifestyle among vegetation and litter. Adults are active during summer months, with males producing songs via tegminal stridulation to attract mates. The species has been documented from the Great Basin through the Rocky Mountain region, with populations adapted to semi-arid conditions.
Stilpnochlora
Neotropical Giant Katydids
Stilpnochlora is a genus of phaneropterine katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, native to tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas. The genus contains approximately 15 described species. Members are relatively large, leaf-like katydids, mostly green in coloration, with body lengths ranging from 5 to 10 cm depending on species. Females generally exceed males in size within the same species. Stilpnochlora couloniana is the largest katydid in the United States.
Turpilia
narrow-beaked katydid (for T. rostrata)
Turpilia is a genus of phaneropterine katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Stål in 1874. The genus comprises nine described species distributed in the Caribbean, Florida, and parts of Mexico. Species in this genus are characterized by their placement in the tribe Turpiliini, a group within the subfamily Phaneropterinae. The genus includes the narrow-beaked katydid (T. rostrata), one of the few species with a documented common name.
Turpiliodes
Turpiliodes is a genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, established by Hebard in 1932. It belongs to the tribe Turpiliini within the subfamily Phaneropterinae. The genus is endemic to Mexico, with records from the northeast, Gulf, and southwest regions. As of 2024, iNaturalist documents over 500 observations of this genus.