Gladiator Short-winged Katydid
Obolopteryx gladiator
This record describes Obolopteryx gladiator (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females possess an extremely long ovipositor which, in lateral view, is very distinctively narrow, much more so than in any other species (Cohn, Swanson, & Fontana 2014) Texas considers this a SGCN
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Obolopteryx (Short-wing Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
s. TX (Carrizo Springs to Corpus Christi to Raymondville) - Map (SINA),(OSF)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Obolopteryx gladiator. 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 Gladiator Short-winged Katydid (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Gladiator Short-winged Katydid
What is Gladiator Short-winged Katydid?
Gladiator Short-winged Katydid (Obolopteryx gladiator) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Gladiator Short-winged Katydid?
Females possess an extremely long ovipositor which, in lateral view, is very distinctively narrow, much more so than in any other species (Cohn, Swanson, & Fontana 2014)
Where is Gladiator Short-winged Katydid found?
Range: s. TX (Carrizo Springs to Corpus Christi to Raymondville) - Map (SINA),(OSF)