Hook-faced Conehead
Pyrgocorypha uncinata
This record describes Pyrgocorypha uncinata (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
wings extend beyond abdomen; cone has prominent gap separating cone from face, and ends in sharp down-turned point; brown females and green females occur in approximately equal numbers; males are always brown Song is a high-pitched ringing hiss modulated momentarily 4‒5 times per second.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Conocephalinae
- Tribe
- Copiphorini
- Genus
- Pyrgocorypha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Males sing from trees, woodlands. Juveniles probably in grassy areas.
Geographic Range
se.US (so.VA‒FL‒e.TX)
Seasonal Activity
Singing Apr‒May (NC), Mar‒May (peninsular FL), Apr‒July (Florida Keys)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pyrgocorypha uncinata ( Harris 1841)
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Pyrgocorypha uncinata. 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 Hook-faced Conehead (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Hook-faced Conehead
What is Hook-faced Conehead?
Hook-faced Conehead (Pyrgocorypha uncinata) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Hook-faced Conehead?
47‒62 mm in FL, 44‒54 mm further north
How do you identify Hook-faced Conehead?
wings extend beyond abdomen; cone has prominent gap separating cone from face, and ends in sharp down-turned point; brown females and green females occur in approximately equal numbers; males are always brown
Where is Hook-faced Conehead found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Males sing from trees, woodlands. Juveniles probably in grassy areas. |
| Range | se.US (so.VA‒FL‒e.TX) |
When is Hook-faced Conehead active?
Hook-faced Conehead: seasonal activity - Singing Apr‒May (NC), Mar‒May (peninsular FL), Apr‒July (Florida Keys).