Crickets Grasshoppers and Katydids: Orthoptera

Physical characteristics: The body of a long-winged conehead is light green, with a distinctive dark brown stripe down the back, and measures 0.5 to 0.7 inches (12 to 17 millimeters) in length. The wings are longer than the body, with the hind wings extending beyond the tips of the forewings. The ovipositor is straight and is nearly as long as the body.

Geographic range: They are widespread in Europe and western Asia.

Habitat: Long-winged coneheads live in meadows, marshes, reed beds, and near water.

Diet: This species eats grasses and other plants but will also catch small insects, such as aphids, and caterpillars.

Behavior and reproduction: This day-active species has very good vision. They are very alert and are quick to the other side of a stem Long-winged coneheads eat grasses and other plants but will also catch small insects, such as aphids, and caterpillars. (Illustration by Bruce Worden. Reproduced by permission.) or jump when threatened. The call of the male is a soft, continuous buzz.

Females lay their eggs in grass or reed stems. Sometimes they will chew small holes in stems through which they insert their ovipositor. Like the adults, the larvae are light green with a black stripe down the back.

Long-winged coneheads and people: This species does not impact humans or their activities.

Conservation status: This species is not endangered or threatened. ∎