Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Scudderia pistillata
This record describes Scudderia pistillata (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This is the only species in this genus with an outer wing length only three times its width Lobes of male supra-anal plate form a wide, rounded V, and taper strongly toward the tips. 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
Damp and dry meadows, marshes, fields, and roadside thickets
Geographic Range
Canada south to West Virginia
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Scudderia pistillata. 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 Broad-winged Bush Katydid (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Broad-winged Bush Katydid
What is Broad-winged Bush Katydid?
Broad-winged Bush Katydid (Scudderia pistillata) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Broad-winged Bush Katydid?
This is the only species in this genus with an outer wing length only three times its width Lobes of male supra-anal plate form a wide, rounded V, and taper strongly toward the tips. Resembles a whale's fluke:
Where is Broad-winged Bush Katydid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Damp and dry meadows, marshes, fields, and roadside thickets |
| Range | Canada south to West Virginia |