Caribbean Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus cinereus
This record describes Conocephalus cinereus (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Favors open, moist grassy places; often common in disturbed habitats such as roadside ditches.
Geographic Range
Southern half of Florida; also on most Caribbean islands, Central America, and northern South America.
Seasonal Activity
Apparently year-round in FL, though more abundant in summer.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Conocephalus cinereus. 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 Caribbean Meadow Katydid (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Caribbean Meadow Katydid
Where is Caribbean Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Favors open, moist grassy places; often common in disturbed habitats such as roadside ditches. |
| Range | Southern half of Florida; also on most Caribbean islands, Central America, and northern South America. |
What does Caribbean Meadow Katydid eat?
The diet of the Caribbean Meadow Katydid includes Omnivorous.
When is Caribbean Meadow Katydid active?
Caribbean Meadow Katydid: seasonal activity - Apparently year-round in FL, though more abundant in summer..