Long-tailed Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus attenuatus
Identification 5
This species is best known for the very long ovipositor in females. It is approximately 2X the length of the body. This long ovipositor is used to insert eggs between the stems and leaves of tall grasses. This species is usually reddish or brown, especially on the face and sides of the pronotum - more red than any other Conocephalus. C. strictus also has a very long ovipositor, but occurs in dry areas and is never red. C. attenuatus occurs in wetland areas. In males, the cerci are distinctive as for all Conocephalus.
Long-winged forms do occur, but are easier to identify in this species because of the reddish color and long ovipositor.
Resources 5
Male cerci: https://orthsoc.org/sina/g220a.htm
Blatchley, W. S. 1920. Orthoptera of northeastern America: with especial reference to the faunas of Indiana and Florida. Nature Publishing Company.
Occurrence 5
Statewide. Knutson and Jaques (1935) listed this species. SINA has 4 records, SCAN has 1 record, BugGuide has 1 record, and iNaturalist has 1 record.
Habitat 5
Marshy areas. BugGuide states that is appears to be a sedge/cattail marsh specialist.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Jeremy Collison, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jeremy Collison
- (c) Susan Elliott, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Susan Elliott
- (c) Hannah Mews, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Hannah Mews
- (c) Joe Bartok, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Joe Bartok
- (c) Tyler Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
