Conocephalus semivittatus (Blackish Meadow Katydid) Click to enlarge image
Blackish Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus semivittatus) near Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. Photographed on 13 March 2009. Image: Arthur Chapman
© CC BY-NC-SA

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Conocephalus
    Species
    semivittatus
    Subfamily
    Conocephalinae
    Family
    Tettagonidae
    Super Family
    Tettagonioidea
    Suborder
    Ensifera
    Order
    Orthoptera
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    1.0 cm - 2.5 cm

Introduction

The Blackish Meadow Katydid is common in Australia.

Identification

Blackish Meadow Katydids vary in colour throughout their distribution, with darker individuals occuring in the southern part of their distribution.

Habitat

The Blackish Meadow Katydid lives in urban areas, forests and woodlands.

Distribution

The Blackish Meadow Katydid is found in Queensland, Lord Howe Island and New South Wales.


Feeding and diet

Found among grasses and reeds, or plants with large, narrow leaves such as Lomandraand Dianella species, the adult Blackish Meadow Katydids feed on the flowers and seeds.

Communication

At times Blackish Meadow Katydids can occur in large numbers, and their low buzzing calls are commonly heard throughout summer.