Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
=Conocephalidae
Numbers
61 spp. in 7 genera in NA
(1)(2) in two tribes:
1. Conocephalini (Meadow Katydids): genera Conocephalus (19 spp.), Odontoxiphidium (1 sp.), Orchelimum (19 spp.)
2. tribe Copiphorini (Coneheads): genera Belocephalus (5 spp.), Bucrates (2 spp.), Neoconocephalus (15 spp.), and Pyrgocorypha (1 sp.)
Identification
Head formed into a pointed or rounded cone that projects beyond the basal antennal segments. Most species occur in brown and green forms. Can be found by their singing or sometimes at lights. Difficult to find during the day, as they are well camouflaged.
Conocephalini:
Conocephalus--Lesser Meadow Katydids: body usually less than 20 mm long (sometimes to 27 mm) and slender, wings usually do not extend past tip of abdomen, ovipositor straight
Orchelimum--Greater Meadow Katydids: body usually more than 20 mm long (to 42 mm), more robust, wings usually extend past tip of abdomen, ovipositor curved upward
Copiphorini:
wings extend beyond abdomen (except in genus Belocephalus)
cone of head separated from face by prominent gap (except in Bucrates)
cone variably straight-pointed, bent-pointed, or round-tipped, depending on species
Range
World-wide; in N. America, most species are east of Rockies or in south. Coneheads are mostly absent from cold-winter arid regions.
Food
Females typically feed at night on seedheads of grasses.