Arizona Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum unispina
This record describes Orchelimum unispina (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to Conocephalus in general appearance - more slender than other Orchelimum spp., and with a straight ovipositor (unlike the upcurved ovipositor of most Orchelimum). Shape of male cercus and calling song are distinctive.
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
Prefers habitats with abundant tall grasses, usually with some trees interspersed. In AZ, found in riparian areas within canyons; in south TX, most common along margins of resacas (oxbow lakes).
Geographic Range
Literature records are mainly from Mexico: Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Vera Cruz. There are also a few records from Pima and Maricopa counties, AZ. BugGuide photos show the species as widespread in southern AZ, as well as south TX.
Seasonal Activity
Adults appear early in summer (June) and may be found until the onset of cold weather, and mid-sized nymphs are common in midwinter. Likely the species overwinters as nymphs. Adults have been found in midwinter in south TX.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Orchelimum unispina. 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 Arizona Meadow Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Meadow Katydid
What is Arizona Meadow Katydid?
Arizona Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum unispina) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Arizona Meadow Katydid?
Very similar to Conocephalus in general appearance - more slender than other Orchelimum spp., and with a straight ovipositor (unlike the upcurved ovipositor of most Orchelimum). Shape of male cercus and calling song are distinctive.
Where is Arizona Meadow Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Prefers habitats with abundant tall grasses, usually with some trees interspersed. In AZ, found in riparian areas within canyons; in south TX, most common along margins of resacas (oxbow lakes). |
| Range | Literature records are mainly from Mexico: Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Vera Cruz. There are also a few records from Pima and Maricopa counties, AZ. BugGuide photos show the species as widespread in southern AZ, as well as south TX. |
What does Arizona Meadow Katydid eat?
The diet of the Arizona Meadow Katydid includes Omnivorous.
When is Arizona Meadow Katydid active?
Arizona Meadow Katydid: seasonal activity - Adults appear early in summer (June) and may be found until the onset of cold weather, and mid-sized nymphs are common in midwinter. Likely the species overwinters as nymphs. Adults have been found in midwinter in south TX..