Apalachicola meadow katydid
Odontoxiphidium apalachicolae
This record describes Odontoxiphidium apalachicolae (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to O. apterum in overall appearance. Most easily distinguished in the field by its distinctive color pattern (generally red, with two turquoise stripes running down pronotum), shape of female ovipositor, and distinctive male song.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Conocephalinae
- Tribe
- Conocephalini
- Genus
- Odontoxiphidium
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Seasonally flooded savannahs with pitcher plants.
Geographic Range
So far only known from two counties bordering the Apalachicola River in the Florida panhandle.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Odontoxiphidium apalachicolae. 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 Apalachicola meadow katydid (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Apalachicola meadow katydid
What is Apalachicola meadow katydid?
Apalachicola meadow katydid (Odontoxiphidium apalachicolae) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Apalachicola meadow katydid?
Similar to O. apterum in overall appearance. Most easily distinguished in the field by its distinctive color pattern (generally red, with two turquoise stripes running down pronotum), shape of female ovipositor, and distinctive male song.
Where is Apalachicola meadow katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Seasonally flooded savannahs with pitcher plants. |
| Range | So far only known from two counties bordering the Apalachicola River in the Florida panhandle. |