Mediterranean Katydid
Phaneroptera nana
This record describes Phaneroptera nana (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Nymphs of this species are very similar to nymphs of Scudderia spp. , but have more and narrower black rings around the antennae than any Scudderia nymphs in the same area. Introduced from Europe perhaps since the 1930s.
Wikipedia reference for Phaneroptera nana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaneroptera_nana.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Phaneroptera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Europe; seems to have been introduced multiple times in the U.S. Initially recorded from the Bay Area of California and Hollywood. It was then found in NY as of 2007, followed by NJ as of 2012, PA as of 2015, and MA as of 2017, and seems to be slowly extending its range in the northeast. Generally restricted to areas in and around large cities.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: "nana" is a Latin adjective derived from Greek nanos (νανος)- "dwarf"
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Phaneroptera nana. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mediterranean Katydid
What is Mediterranean Katydid?
Mediterranean Katydid (Phaneroptera nana) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Mediterranean Katydid?
Nymphs of this species are very similar to nymphs of Scudderia spp. , but have more and narrower black rings around the antennae than any Scudderia nymphs in the same area.
Where is Mediterranean Katydid found?
Range: Europe; seems to have been introduced multiple times in the U.S. Initially recorded from the Bay Area of California and Hollywood. It was then found in NY as of 2007, followed by NJ as of 2012, PA as of 2015, and MA as of 2017, and seems to be slowly extending its range in the northeast. Generally restricted to areas in and around large cities.