Red-headed Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum erythrocephalum
This record describes Orchelimum erythrocephalum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Coloration | Coloration typically green with reddish highlights, including a (usually) bright red head in both sexes. |
| Eyes | Eyes light blue. Red head is (apparently?) distinctive in this genus, however some specimens do not show a bright red head. In those cases compare O. vulgare. |
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. Connecticut south along coastal plain and Piedmont, though Carolinas to Florida, west to southern Tennessee, Louisiana, eastern Texas.
Seasonal Activity
Late summer to late fall. August-frost (eastern North Carolina), August-November (coastal plain, north Florida).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Primarily herbivores, but also somewhat predatory--see genus account.
Life History
Presumably one generation per year. See genus account.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Orchelimum erythrocephalum. 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 Red-headed Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Phillip Harpootlian
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-headed Meadow Katydid
What is Red-headed Meadow Katydid?
Red-headed Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum erythrocephalum) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Red-headed Meadow Katydid?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body length 20-27 mm, not counting ovipositor in females. |
| Body | Body length to end of folded wings about 33 mm in males. |
How do you identify Red-headed Meadow Katydid?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Coloration | Coloration typically green with reddish highlights, including a (usually) bright red head in both sexes. |
| Eyes | Eyes light blue. Red head is (apparently?) distinctive in this genus, however some specimens do not show a bright red head. In those cases compare O. vulgare. |
Where is Red-headed Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, meadows |
| Range | Southeastern United States. Connecticut south along coastal plain and Piedmont, though Carolinas to Florida, west to southern Tennessee, Louisiana, eastern Texas. |
What does Red-headed Meadow Katydid eat?
The diet of the Red-headed Meadow Katydid includes Primarily herbivores, but also somewhat predatory--see genus account..
When is Red-headed Meadow Katydid active?
Red-headed Meadow Katydid: seasonal activity - Late summer to late fall. August-frost (eastern North Carolina), August-November (coastal plain, north Florida)..
What is the life cycle of a Red-headed Meadow Katydid?
Presumably one generation per year. See genus account.