Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Suborder Ensifera | Phylum Arthropoda Order Orthoptera Rank Subfamily | |
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Similar Conocephalinae, Neoconocephalus, Meconematinae, Saginae, Listroscelidinae | ||
The Copiphorinae are a subfamily of the katydid family Tettigoniidae. Members of this subfamily are known as coneheaded katydids, and are large, grasshopper-like insects and the only katydids to have an extended, cone-shaped projection on their heads that juts forward in front of the base of the antennae.
Description
Coneheaded katydids vary in length from about 24 to 74 mm (1 to 3 in). In most species, the female is considerably larger than the male, and in some, the largest male is smaller than the smallest female. Like other members of the cricket suborder Ensifera, they differ from grasshoppers (suborder Caelifera) in having filamentous antennae that are longer than their bodies. Most species have loud songs which enable them to be identified. The call is made in most instances by the two fore wings rubbing together. Some species can hear with the aid of hearing organs in the tibia segments of their legs. The ovipositor is straight and slender and bears no teeth.