Modest Katydid
Montezumina modesta
This record describes Montezumina modesta (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Very similar to the genus Amblycorypha . |
| Head | Head is smaller. Eye (in live specimens) has a bold dark diagonal stripe through it. |
| Thorax | Thorax and front of tegmina usually edged strongly with yellow on top. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Montezumina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in a wide variety of habitats. In north peninsular Florida they are found in both dry and wet habitats. In more northern states, most come from bottomland forests
Geographic Range
Eastern TX to Florida, north to Virginia (SINA) BugGuide records extend this range to Ohio and New Jersey.
Seasonal Activity
Adults found mostly from June to August
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Montezumina modesta. 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 Modest Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , David Ferguson , metrioptera , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Modest Katydid
What is Modest Katydid?
Modest Katydid (Montezumina modesta) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Modest Katydid?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Very similar to the genus Amblycorypha . |
| Head | Head is smaller. Eye (in live specimens) has a bold dark diagonal stripe through it. |
| Thorax | Thorax and front of tegmina usually edged strongly with yellow on top. |
Where is Modest Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in a wide variety of habitats. In north peninsular Florida they are found in both dry and wet habitats. In more northern states, most come from bottomland forests |
| Range | Eastern TX to Florida, north to Virginia (SINA) BugGuide records extend this range to Ohio and New Jersey. |
When is Modest Katydid active?
Modest Katydid: seasonal activity - Adults found mostly from June to August.