Rio Grande Thread-leg Katydid
Arethaea phantasma
This record describes Arethaea phantasma (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
See discussion under this photo:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Arethaea (Thread-legged Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Rio Grande Valley area of southern Texas: Big Bend east to Brownsville, and northward in a band parallel to the valley, see SINA map .
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Arethaea phantasma. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Rio Grande Thread-leg Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by David Ferguson , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Rio Grande Thread-leg Katydid
How big is Rio Grande Thread-leg Katydid?
male: 25 mm body, 40 mm to tip of wings ( guide photo )
How do you identify Rio Grande Thread-leg Katydid?
See discussion under this photo:
Where is Rio Grande Thread-leg Katydid found?
Range: Rio Grande Valley area of southern Texas: Big Bend east to Brownsville, and northward in a band parallel to the valley, see SINA map .