Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum gladiator
This record describes Orchelimum gladiator (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Posterior lateral sinus of the pronotum is poorly developed. Song is a series of ticks followed by a long shuffling trill (' Songs of Insects )
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
Damp meadows of tall grases and sedges and wet edges of marshes.
Geographic Range
Northern half of U.S and southern Canada.
Seasonal Activity
June-August (BG data). One of the earliest native katydids in much of its range.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Feed on plants but are also predaceous and canibalistic.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Orchelimum 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 Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Gladiator Meadow Katydid
What is Gladiator Meadow Katydid?
Gladiator Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum gladiator) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Gladiator Meadow Katydid?
Posterior lateral sinus of the pronotum is poorly developed. Song is a series of ticks followed by a long shuffling trill (' Songs of Insects )
Where is Gladiator Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Damp meadows of tall grases and sedges and wet edges of marshes. |
| Range | Northern half of U.S and southern Canada. |
What does Gladiator Meadow Katydid eat?
The diet of the Gladiator Meadow Katydid includes Feed on plants but are also predaceous and canibalistic..
When is Gladiator Meadow Katydid active?
Gladiator Meadow Katydid: seasonal activity - June-August (BG data). One of the earliest native katydids in much of its range..