Marsh Conehead
Neoconocephalus palustris
This record describes Neoconocephalus palustris (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Quoting account at Singing Insects of North America : As in other members of this genus, there are green and brown forms. See iNaturalist for an example of a brown form.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Conocephalinae
- Tribe
- Copiphorini
- Genus
- Neoconocephalus (Common Coneheads)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States--absent from southern Appalachians ( Singing Insects of North America )
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Neoconocephalus palustris. 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 Marsh Conehead (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Marsh Conehead
What is Marsh Conehead?
Marsh Conehead (Neoconocephalus palustris) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Marsh Conehead?
Quoting account at Singing Insects of North America : As in other members of this genus, there are green and brown forms. See iNaturalist for an example of a brown form.
Where is Marsh Conehead found?
Range: Southeastern United States--absent from southern Appalachians ( Singing Insects of North America )