Weissman's Conehead
Bucrates weissmani
This record describes Bucrates weissmani (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to Neoconocephalus , but with only a slight notch under the base of the cone on the front of the head.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Conocephalinae
- Tribe
- Copiphorini
- Genus
- Bucrates
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
mountains of southeastern Arizona
Seasonal Activity
Univoltine; calls as early as 1 June and as late as 5 August. Available evidence and comparison with other North American coneheads suggest that overwintering is by individuals that are in reproductive diapause when they molt to adults in late summer or fall.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Bucrates weissmani. 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 Weissman's Conehead (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Weissman's Conehead
What is Weissman's Conehead?
Weissman's Conehead (Bucrates weissmani) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Weissman's Conehead?
Similar to Neoconocephalus , but with only a slight notch under the base of the cone on the front of the head.
Where is Weissman's Conehead found?
Range: mountains of southeastern Arizona
When is Weissman's Conehead active?
Weissman's Conehead: seasonal activity - Univoltine; calls as early as 1 June and as late as 5 August. Available evidence and comparison with other North American coneheads suggest that overwintering is by individuals that are in reproductive diapause when they molt to adults in late summer or fall..