Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Scudderia curvicauda
This record describes Scudderia curvicauda (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance

Outer lobes of male supra-anal plate form a shallow V, and turn away from each other; from above, it resembles a whale's fluke
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Phaneropterinae
- Genus
- Scudderia (Bush Katydids)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Weedy fields, thickets, forest edges, and meadows.
Geographic Range
Eastern U.S.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Scudderia curvicauda. 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 Curve-tailed Bush Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Corey Husic; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
What is Curve-tailed Bush Katydid?
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia curvicauda) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Curve-tailed Bush Katydid?
Outer lobes of male supra-anal plate form a shallow V, and turn away from each other; from above, it resembles a whale's fluke
Where is Curve-tailed Bush Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Weedy fields, thickets, forest edges, and meadows. |
| Range | Eastern U.S. |
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