Long-spurred Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum silvaticum
This record describes Orchelimum silvaticum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species has the longest tooth on the inner surface of the male cerci, this feature prompting 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
- Orchelimum (Greater Meadow Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A common prairie and deciduous woodland species of the Midwest. Often in juniper and cedar trees.
Geographic Range
Midwestern states from SD-TX, east to OH and AL, with small scattered populations further east in NY and MD
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Orchelimum silvaticum. 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 Long-spurred Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeffrey Cole; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Long-spurred Meadow Katydid
What is Long-spurred Meadow Katydid?
Long-spurred Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum silvaticum) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Long-spurred Meadow Katydid?
This species has the longest tooth on the inner surface of the male cerci, this feature prompting the common name
Where is Long-spurred Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | A common prairie and deciduous woodland species of the Midwest. Often in juniper and cedar trees. |
| Range | Midwestern states from SD-TX, east to OH and AL, with small scattered populations further east in NY and MD |