Slender Meadow Katydid
Slender Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus fasciatus)
Occurrence
Common to abundant in appropriate habitat.
Habitat
Grassy meadows, wetland edges.
Range
All counties in NE Ohio
Physical description
As its name implies, this meadow katydid appears long and slender, especially when compared with the Short-winged Meadow Katydid with which it may be found. Slender Meadow Katydids are green with long, light brown wings and bright green cerci. The female’s ovipositor is slender and straight. The Slender Meadow Katydid’s colors and physical profile helps it blend beautifully with grasses.
Slender Meadow Katydid male's green cerci
Slender Meadow Katydid female's ovipositor
Song
Very high, soft tics and whirrs. The song is even more difficult to hear than that of the Short-winged Meadow Katydid. They sing in the afternoon and at night.
Adult season
They mature earlier than Short-winged Meadow Katydids and can be found from the third week of July until frost.
General description and context
These little katydids are not very easy to find, as they look like part of a blade of grass. If you find one, however, you may notice several more nearby. Like the Short-wingeds, they will climb up high in tall grasses to dine on seeds after dark. Although they can hide very well when stretched out along a blade of grass or grass stem, their long antennae may give them away.
Similar species
Short-winged Meadow Katydids are often found with the Slender Meadow Katydids, but Short-wingeds typically have short wings and their abdomens will be dark yellow or orange and the end. This will be true even for the long-winged form of the Short-winged Meadow Katydid, while the Slender’s abdomen will be entirely green
Field observation
Slender Meadow Katydids use their long wings to occasionally fly short distances, which will become immediately apparent if you try to catch one.
Listening in Nature post:
http://listeninginnature.blogspot.com/2015/08/small-slender-and-elegant.html
Songs of Insects:
http://songsofinsects.com/katydids/slender-meadow-katydid
Singing Insects of North America:
