Agile Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum agile
This record describes Orchelimum agile (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | A slender Orchelimum , rather resembles Conocephalus . |
| Coloration | Coloration is a rather washed out green, with a mostly creamy white face bordered with brown maculation. |
| Eyes | Eyes white or light pink. |
| Wings | Wings typically (?) longer than abdomen in most specimens. See Internet references for details on male cerci, etc. Impression in the field was that males of this species are very nervous, moving rapidly from one singing perch to another. They changed perches much more frequently than the stockier, Red-headed Meadow Katydid, Orchelimum erythrocephalum. Agile is a good name. I found these very difficult to catch compared to Red-headed Meadow Katydid, which is much more sluggish. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Conocephalinae
- Tribe
- Conocephalini
- Genus
- Orchelimum (Greater Meadow Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Fields, meadows
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States: TX-FL, north to NJ. BG records extend this range to NY and MA.
Seasonal Activity
Reported August, but mostly mid-September to October for north Florida. Brimley reports dates as August-frost for North Carolina.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: See guide page for genus.
Life History
See guide page for genus.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Orchelimum agile. 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 Agile Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Agile Meadow Katydid
What is Agile Meadow Katydid?
Agile Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum agile) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Agile Meadow Katydid?
Circa 34 mm (male, head to wing-tips).
How do you identify Agile Meadow Katydid?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | A slender Orchelimum , rather resembles Conocephalus . |
| Coloration | Coloration is a rather washed out green, with a mostly creamy white face bordered with brown maculation. |
| Eyes | Eyes white or light pink. |
| Wings | Wings typically (?) longer than abdomen in most specimens. See Internet references for details on male cerci, etc. Impression in the field was that males of this species are very nervous, moving rapidly from one singing perch to another. They changed perches much more frequently than the stockier, Red-headed Meadow Katydid, Orchelimum erythrocephalum. |
Where is Agile Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, meadows |
| Range | Southeastern United States: TX-FL, north to NJ. BG records extend this range to NY and MA. |
What does Agile Meadow Katydid eat?
The diet of the Agile Meadow Katydid includes See guide page for genus..
When is Agile Meadow Katydid active?
Agile Meadow Katydid: seasonal activity - Reported August, but mostly mid-September to October for north Florida. Brimley reports dates as August-frost for North Carolina..
What is the life cycle of a Agile Meadow Katydid?
See guide page for genus.