Blackish Meadow Katydid - Conocephalus semivittatus
Family TETTIGONIIDAE
This page contains pictures and information about the Blackish Meadow Katydids that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Female, body length 20mm
- This is a common katydid found in Brisbane bushland. However they are not easily be seen because they are active at night. Usually they hide among long grasses or reeds.
- Male, body length 15mm-20mm nymph, body length 15mm
- Their body is pale green in colour with dark brown on the back. This katydid species adult may have fully developed wings or un-developed wings. They feed on flowers and seeds. They produce low buzzing calls throughout the summer season. Visit this page to hear their call.
- This katydid likes to look at us from its back. If we move a bit closer, it jumps away. We took those pictures in Eight Mile Plains and Karawatha Forest. Notice also the long sword-like ovipositor of the female.
- Nymphs are predaceous. They feed on eggs and nymphs of Paddy Bugs Leptocorisa sp. while adults often feed on grass flowers and seeds.
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- The above photos were taken late in the afternoon, when the Blackish Meadow Katydids start to become active. They were shy and ready to hide in dense grasses when we came close.
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- When found, they usually hold tightly to the stem on which they are resting and move to the opposite side for hiding.
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- Notice its antennae is about four times of its body length.
- Reference:
- 1. Insects of Australia - CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p382.
- 2. Grasshopper Country - the Abundant Orthopteroid Insects of Australia, D Rentz, UNSW Press, 1996, p94.
- 3. Blackish Meadow Katydid Fact File - Wildlife of Sydney, Australian Museum online.
