Drumming Katydid
Meconema thalassinum
This record describes Meconema thalassinum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A tiny, sea-green katydid with a tympanum fully exposed on each foretibia. Forewings longer than hindwings. No stridulatory area apparent at base of male forewings. Male cerci long, slender, tubular, curving upwards . This species calls by drumming the hind tarsus on a leaf Commonly preyed upon by wasps in the genus Isodontia .
Wikipedia reference for Meconema thalassinum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meconema_thalassinum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Meconematinae
- Genus
- Meconema
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous trees and the vegetation beneath.
Geographic Range
Europe. Introduced into North America; currently Michigan & Ohio east to Atlantic coast; sw. British Columbia to w. Oregon, and likely still expanding. See also BugGuide range map for an indication of the expansion of the range into neighboring states.
Seasonal Activity
July-November
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Mainly aphids
Life History
One generation per year; overwinters as eggs laid in bark crevices.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: At William Whitaker's Words , "thalassinum" translates to "sea-green".
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Meconema thalassinum. 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 Drumming Katydid (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Ethan Kistler , David Ferguson , Harsi S. Parker , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Drumming Katydid
What is Drumming Katydid?
Drumming Katydid (Meconema thalassinum) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Drumming Katydid?
14 - 19 mm
How do you identify Drumming Katydid?
A tiny, sea-green katydid with a tympanum fully exposed on each foretibia. Forewings longer than hindwings. No stridulatory area apparent at base of male forewings. Male cerci long, slender, tubular, curving upwards .
Where is Drumming Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous trees and the vegetation beneath. |
| Range | Europe. Introduced into North America; currently Michigan & Ohio east to Atlantic coast; sw. British Columbia to w. Oregon, and likely still expanding. See also BugGuide range map for an indication of the expansion of the range into neighboring states. |
What does Drumming Katydid eat?
The diet of the Drumming Katydid includes Mainly aphids.
When is Drumming Katydid active?
Drumming Katydid: seasonal activity - July-November.
What is the life cycle of a Drumming Katydid?
One generation per year; overwinters as eggs laid in bark crevices.