Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Neoconocephalus Karny, 1907. Taxonomic notes:
Moved from subfamily Copiphorinae at BugGuide on 1 February 2008. Placement in subfamily Conocephalinae of family Tettigoniidae follows the classification used in the Orthoptera Species File
here; see Taxonomy Proposals forum topic on "Orthoptera"
here.
Numbers
Arnett lists 14 species in genus
(1), as does
nearctica.comIdentification
Wings extend beyond abdomen. Cone is separated from face by a gap and does not have a sharp point. Female has very long ovipositor. This genus has green and brown color phases.
Range
Most species occur in eastern North America.
Habitat
Grassy areas, thickets, marshes, sometimes cornfields
Season
July-October (North Carolina, most species), September-May (North Carolina, N. triops). July-September, October (Michigan)
Food
Adults feed mostly on seeds of grasses, sometimes sedges. Nymphs feed on grass flowers, developing seeds. N. robustus is known to feed on forbs.
Life Cycle
Oviposit into crowns of grass clumps. Most overwinter as eggs, have one generation per year in north. Some species overwinter as adults in south, have two periods of breeding activity. Males perch on plants and sing at night.
Print References
Arnett, p. 162, fig. 11.16
(1)
Capinera, pp. 170-174, fig. 59
(4)
Milne, p. 433, fig. 282--
N. nebrascensis (6)Internet References
Singing Insects of North America has a key to species of this genus, range maps, excellent discussion of life histories (link updated 18 March 2011).
pinned and live images of
N. ensiger (Insects of Cedar Creek, U. of Minnesota)
classification plus literature citations and included taxa (Orthoptera Species File)
video of
Neoconocephalus triops male stridulating--
Flickr (Patrick Coin)
Contributed by
Cotinis on 18 June, 2004 - 6:16pm
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeodLast updated 19 March, 2011 - 9:51am
