Orthoptera of North Carolina

Family (Alpha):

View	Tettigoniidae Members:	NC Records
Neoconocephalus palustris (Blatchley, 1893) - Marsh Conehead

Taxonomy

Family: Tettigoniidae

Subfamily: Copiphorinae

Tribe: Copiphorini

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Himmelman (2009)	Online Photographs: BugGuide, Google Images, iNaturalist, GBIF	Technical Description, Adults/Nymphs: Blatchley (1920)	SINA 186a.htm
Comments: The cone of this species is entirely green below and tapers upward to a blunt tip. The rim of the cone is dull yellow and there is a yellow line that runs from behind the eye and continues of the lateral carinae of the pronotum and the edge of the stridulatory field. Females are usually bright green and males are typically brown, but green males also occur. The labrum, antennae, and metatarsi are often violet but can also be red or orange (Himmelman, 2009).
Forewing Length: 28-34 mm, males; 29-45 mm, females (Blatchley, 1920)
Structural Features: The upper portion of the fastigium (cone) is somewhat compressed with fairly straight sides. The ovipositor is shorter than the tegmina.
Singing Behavior: The song has been described as a very high pitched, weak, and continuous "dzeeeeeeee" (Blatchley, 1920).

Distribution in North Carolina


County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Adult Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: This species inhabits tall grasses and cattails along shorelines, marshes, and bogs (Blatchley, 1920; Himmelman, 2009).

Diet: Species in this genus are strongly associated with grasses and have been observed feeding on seeds -- explaining their very powerful jaws -- as well as leaf blades (Himmelman, 2009).

Observation Methods:

Abundance/Frequency:

Adult Phenology: This is a summer species, with adults emerging in July in North Carolina.

See also Habitat Account for General Cattail and Tall Grass Marshes

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks:

State Protection:

Comments:

Image Gallery for Neoconocephalus palustris - Marsh Conehead
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Richmond Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Richmond Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger Richmond Co. Comment:

Neoconocephalus palustris (Blatchley, 1893) - Marsh Conehead

Image Gallery for Neoconocephalus palustris - Marsh Conehead