Black-sided Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus nigropleurum
This record describes Conocephalus nigropleurum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
side of abdomen black; pronotum bright green; ovipositor straight and about as long as abdomen; ventral surface of hind femur with one or more spines
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
Wet, marshy areas, often with cattails.
Geographic Range
states bordering the Great Lakes, plus Ontario and Quebec to the northeast, and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas to the west - Map
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: NIGROPLEURUM: literally, black-sided - from the Latin "niger" (black) + the Greek "pleura" (a rib, side)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Conocephalus nigropleurum. 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 Black-sided Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by metrioptera , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-sided Meadow Katydid
What is Black-sided Meadow Katydid?
Black-sided Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus nigropleurum) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Black-sided Meadow Katydid?
side of abdomen black; pronotum bright green; ovipositor straight and about as long as abdomen; ventral surface of hind femur with one or more spines
Where is Black-sided Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wet, marshy areas, often with cattails. |
| Range | states bordering the Great Lakes, plus Ontario and Quebec to the northeast, and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas to the west - Map |