Long-tailed Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus attenuatus
This record describes Conocephalus attenuatus (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Typically either all red or red with green limbs.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Conocephalinae
- Tribe
- Conocephalini
- Genus
- Conocephalus (Lesser Meadow Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Appears to be a sedge/cattail marsh specialist.
Geographic Range
Nebraska east to MA, north to Quebec
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Conocephalus attenuatus. 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 Long-tailed Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Long-tailed Meadow Katydid
What is Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus attenuatus) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Typically either all red or red with green limbs.
Where is Long-tailed Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Appears to be a sedge/cattail marsh specialist. |
| Range | Nebraska east to MA, north to Quebec |