Superb Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum superbum
This record describes Orchelimum superbum (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Male cercus greatly swollen.
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
Geographic Range
Once thought of as a rare east coast species ranging from coastal NJ to FL and west to coastal TX. Cole & Chatfield-Taylor (2012) showed that the species was widespread and locally common on the Great Plains, and hypothesized that the eastern Great Plains is actually the center of distribution for the species.
Seasonal Activity
Early summer species active from early June to late July
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Primarily grasses
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Orchelimum superbum. 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 Superb Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Superb Meadow Katydid
How do you identify Superb Meadow Katydid?
Male cercus greatly swollen.
Where is Superb Meadow Katydid found?
Range: Once thought of as a rare east coast species ranging from coastal NJ to FL and west to coastal TX. Cole & Chatfield-Taylor (2012) showed that the species was widespread and locally common on the Great Plains, and hypothesized that the eastern Great Plains is actually the center of distribution for the species.
What does Superb Meadow Katydid eat?
The diet of the Superb Meadow Katydid includes Primarily grasses.
When is Superb Meadow Katydid active?
Superb Meadow Katydid: seasonal activity - Early summer species active from early June to late July.