Roesel’s Katydid
Metrioptera roeselii
This record describes Metrioptera roeselii (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Song is a high-pitched quavering buzz ( species account with sound recordings .) An introduced species from Europe first found in Montreal in 1953 . Both long and short-winged forms exist. The long-winged forms can fly some distance and are more commonly collected here than in Europe.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Tettigoniinae
- Genus
- Metrioptera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in grassy fields
Geographic Range
Northeastern United States west to Iowa, and adjacent Canada. Introduced from Old World.
Seasonal Activity
Nymphs appear in April/May, mature by late June/early July, and last into August/September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Click on the image to see life cycle photos:
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Metrioptera roeselii (Hagenbach, 1822)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Metrioptera roeselii. 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 Roesel’s Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cotinis , Tony DiTerlizzi , john and jane balaban , Chuck Entz , David Ferguson , marcie oconnor , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Roesel’s Katydid
What is Roesel’s Katydid?
Roesel’s Katydid (Metrioptera roeselii) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Roesel’s Katydid?
Song is a high-pitched quavering buzz ( species account with sound recordings .)
Where is Roesel’s Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in grassy fields |
| Range | Northeastern United States west to Iowa, and adjacent Canada. Introduced from Old World. |
When is Roesel’s Katydid active?
Roesel’s Katydid: seasonal activity - Nymphs appear in April/May, mature by late June/early July, and last into August/September..
What is the life cycle of a Roesel’s Katydid?
Click on the image to see life cycle photos: