Wingless Meadow Katydid
Odontoxiphidium apterum
This record describes Odontoxiphidium apterum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male forewings shorter than pronotum (female forewings concealed by pronotum): Male cercus with 2 teeth as opposed to 1 in Conocephalus and Orchelimum: This little species does in fact have wings (albeit extremely short ones), contrary to the common name.
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
Geographic Range
Southeastern US: Tennessee, southern North Carolina, south to Mississippi, Florida.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Odontoxiphidium apterum. 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 Wingless Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by cotinis , Ethan Kistler , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Wingless Meadow Katydid
What is Wingless Meadow Katydid?
Wingless Meadow Katydid (Odontoxiphidium apterum) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Wingless Meadow Katydid?
9-19 mm
How do you identify Wingless Meadow Katydid?
Male forewings shorter than pronotum (female forewings concealed by pronotum): Male cercus with 2 teeth as opposed to 1 in Conocephalus and Orchelimum:
Where is Wingless Meadow Katydid found?
Range: Southeastern US: Tennessee, southern North Carolina, south to Mississippi, Florida.