Elegant Bush Katydid
Insara elegans
This record describes Insara elegans (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Tegmina either marked with a herringbone pattern or plain-colored. The latter form was designated by Rehn & Hebard as Insara elegans consuetipes . The nocturnal adults are generally attracted to light.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Insara (Western Bush Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
sw US (s. CA-s. NV to s. TX, + CO / Mex. - Maps: SINA , and GBIF
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Various desert plants, though preferably Mesquite ( Prosopis spp.)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Insara elegans. 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 Elegant Bush Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by Hartmut Wisch , Mike Quinn , David Ferguson , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Elegant Bush Katydid
What is Elegant Bush Katydid?
Elegant Bush Katydid (Insara elegans) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Elegant Bush Katydid?
28-37mm
How do you identify Elegant Bush Katydid?
Tegmina either marked with a herringbone pattern or plain-colored. The latter form was designated by Rehn & Hebard as Insara elegans consuetipes .
Where is Elegant Bush Katydid found?
Range: sw US (s. CA-s. NV to s. TX, + CO / Mex. - Maps: SINA , and GBIF
What does Elegant Bush Katydid eat?
The diet of the Elegant Bush Katydid includes Various desert plants, though preferably Mesquite ( Prosopis spp.).