Round-tipped Conehead
Neoconocephalus retusus
This record describes Neoconocephalus retusus (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Song: A rather weak, beady, continuous buzz heard from within tangles of vegetation, during afternoons as well as at night. Paraphrasing SINA :
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
Habitat
Dry to fairly wet grassy or weedy open areas-roadsides, old fields, edges of marshes.
Geographic Range
Most of the eastern U.S., north to MA
Seasonal Activity
August - October
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Neoconocephalus retusus. 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 Round-tipped Conehead (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by cotinis , Ethan Kistler , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Round-tipped Conehead
What is Round-tipped Conehead?
Round-tipped Conehead (Neoconocephalus retusus) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Round-tipped Conehead?
37-52 mm
How do you identify Round-tipped Conehead?
Song: A rather weak, beady, continuous buzz heard from within tangles of vegetation, during afternoons as well as at night. Paraphrasing SINA :
Where is Round-tipped Conehead found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry to fairly wet grassy or weedy open areas-roadsides, old fields, edges of marshes. |
| Range | Most of the eastern U.S., north to MA |
When is Round-tipped Conehead active?
Round-tipped Conehead: seasonal activity - August - October.