Common Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum vulgare
Identification 4
As with most Orchelimum, a photo of the male cerci is best for identification. Photos of the face and dorsal stripes can also help rule out other Orchelimum species.
Resources 4
Orchelimum cerci: https://orthsoc.org/sina/g248a.htm
Capinera, J.L., R.D. Scott, and T.J. Walker. 2004. Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets of the United States. Cornell University Press.
Occurrence 4
Statewide. While Capinera et al. (2004) states that this species is "by the far the most commonly encountered meadow katydid in its range," BugGuide notes that at least in northeastern states it seems to be restricted to high quality native habitat. In my experience in summer 2021, I could not find any despite specifically keeping an eye out for this particular species. Knutson and Jaques (1935) listed this species for Iowa, SINA has a few dozen records for Iowa, BugGuide has no records, and iNaturalist has a single record. It's possible this species has declined in recent decades.
Habitat 4
Capinera et al. (2004) state that it occurs in many areas like pastures, marshes, old fields, etc., but BugGuide notes it has only been found recently in high quality native habitat in the northeastern U.S. in recent years.
Sources and Credits
- (c) John Himmelman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by John Himmelman
- (c) hansoes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
- (c) glamasaurusrex, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
