The Crickets and Katydids of Burton Wetlands

The Crickets and Katydids
of Burton Wetlands:
a 2010 baseline survey and study of the
effects of meadow burning
by Lisa Rainsong
The Crickets and Katydids of Burton Wetlands:
a 2010 baseline survey and study of the effects of meadow burning
by Lisa Rainsong
Funded by the Research Grant Program of the Geauga Park District
Survey Report:
Purpose and Introduction
Methods, materials and project description
Survey sections and description
Species accounts and effects of burning on individual species
Method and project description of the meadow burning study
Conclusions
Species Lists
CD contents
Photos
Spreadsheets
The Crickets and Katydids of Burton Wetlands:
a 2010 baseline survey and study of the effects of meadow burning
by Lisa Rainsong
Purpose
The twofold purpose of this survey was to establish a baseline record of the cricket and
katydid species present in the various habitats of Burton Wetlands, and to compare the
populations in meadow areas burned in 2009 and 2010. By determining which insects
are present at this time, it will be possible to track changes in subsequent years. The
presence, abundance, or absence of various species may also be useful indicators for
land management decisions, specifically the frequency of meadow burning.
The crickets and katydid species found at Burton Wetlands are an important food
source for many birds, mammals, insects, and spiders. Tree crickets and katydids are
prey for birds and bats, and small mammals eat nymphs and ground crickets. Larger
insects eat both adults and nymphs, and other insects eat their eggs. Katydids are also
hosts for many parasitic species, including wasps, flies, and horsehair worms.
Because of their diversity, katydids and crickets are found in almost any habitat I could
survey. Therefore, a study of the Ensifera of a park or preserve can provide
information about a number of different habitats within a park or preserve.
NE Ohio Crickets and Katydids
Grillidae: the Crickets
This report documents four kinds of crickets that are visually quite distinct: Field
Crickets, Ground Crickets, Tree Crickets, and Sword-tailed Crickets (also known as
Trigs, as they are in the subfamily Trigonidiinae). Jumping Bush Crickets (Oracharis
saltator), which are common in urban and suburban areas, do not appear to be present
in rural Geauga County. This species appears to be gradually moving north, however,
and I have found them in Bainbridge, Chesterland, and at Routes 87 and 306.
Field Crickets include two species that look and sound identical: the Spring Field Cricket
(Gryllus veletis) and the Fall Field Cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus). Spring Field
Crickets are the earliest crickets we hear, as they overwinter as nymphs. They are
replaced after mid-July by Fall Field Crickets, which overwinter as eggs and therefore
mature much later. Although seldom seen, these crickets are considerably larger that
ground crickets. They generally sing from a hidden location that will amplify their sound,
such as between the stones in the Burton Wetlands parking lot pavilion.
Ground crickets are the common small, dark crickets found on paths, in grasses, and
around low vegetation. The Carolina Ground Cricket (Eunemobius carolinus) is the
most abundant and can be found almost anywhere. Theirs are the last NE Ohio insect
songs heard in the fall. Also fairly common are the Allard’s Ground Cricket
(Allonemobius allardi), which prefers open, drier habitats, and the Striped Ground
Cricket (Allonemobius fasciatus), which prefers a somewhat damper environment.
Last year’s surprise species at Observatory Park and Oakton Preserve was the Cuban
Ground Cricket (Neonemobius cubensis) – an eastern and southern species that is
actually fairly abundant at those park properties and throughout Cuyahoga, Lake, and
Geauga Counties. This tiny cricket was one of the most common species encountered
at the Burton Wetlands.
Two species of trigs, or “sword-tailed crickets,” are found in NE Ohio; the Say’s Trig
(Anaxipha exigua) and the Handsome Trig (Phyllopalpus pulchella). The gorgeous red
and black Handsome Trigs are more likely to be found in shrubs such as dogwoods and
viburnums, while Say’s Trigs inhabit both shrubs and low vegetation. I have found that
they are very fond of buttonbushes.
NE Ohio is at the northern edge of the range of the Handsome Trig; therefore, I am
especially careful in my investigation of this species. I have found them in northern
Cuyahoga County, along Lake Erie in Lake County, and at Frohring Meadows and
Orchard Hills in Geauga County. However, I did not find them at Burton Wetlands even
though appropriate habitat exists in all three locations. I did not find them last year at
Observatory Park or at Oakton last year; I have not as of this time found them anywhere
east of Route 306 in the NE corner of the state. They are, however, abundant south of
Geauga County in Summit and Portage Counties. It would appear that they do not
tolerate conditions in the “snow belt!”
Very different in appearance from ground and field crickets, tree crickets are more
elongated and generally pale green instead of brown or black. This coloration
corresponds with the trees and shrub they generally inhabit. All but the Two-spotted
Tree Cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) are in the genus Oecanthus. Although several tree
cricket species are found in trees and shrubs, the Black-horned Tree Cricket
(Oecanthus nigricornis) and the Four-spotted Tree Cricket (Oecanthus quadripunctatus)
are common inhabitants of goldenrod-filled meadows. The songs of these two species
are almost identical at warm temperatures and they share the same habitat.
Consequently, visual identification is often necessary to determine which species is
actually singing unless temperatures are cool enough to hear the difference in number
of wing strokes per second.
Tettigoniiadae: the Katydids
The Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia) is a large, leaf-shaped, green
insect with an easily-identifiable loud, raspy call that seems to suggest “Katy did! Katy
didn’t!” It is raucous singer who song is generally heard in taller trees, and this species
is in wooded areas, tree lines, and even individual tall trees in the meadows at Burton
Wetlands.
Resembling Common True Katydids are the Bush Katydids. These include the genera
Microcentrum, Amblycorypha, and Scudderia. Some, such as the Greater Anglewing
(Microcentrum rhombifolium), are common in trees while katydids in the genus
Scudderia are found in meadow vegetation and shrubs. The meadows at Burton
Wetlands provide extensive habitat for at least three Scudderia species: the Broadwinged Bush Katydid., Curve-tailed Bush Katydid, and Texas Bush Katydid. Two
Amblychorypha species – the Oblong-winged and Rattler Round-winged Katydids – are
flourishing at Burton Wetlands as well.
Coneheads (genus Neoconocephalus) do indeed have cone-shaped heads. An
important diagnostic tool for species identification is the amount and pattern of black on
their green cones. The conehead species commonly found in Geauga County is the
Sword-bearing Conehead (Neoconocephalus ensiger), which is named for the female’s
very long ovipositor. These loud, persistent singers are found in habitats that support
Scudderia and were extremely common in the meadows.
A quite unexpected meadow discovery, however, was the Round-tipped Conehead
(Neoconocephalus retusus). Range maps do not show this species north of Columbus,
but I found several scattered throughout the Burton Wetlands meadows.
Meadow katydids belong to two genera: Conocephalus and Orchelimum. These small
katydids resemble slender grasshoppers with long antennae. They typically are found
in grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous perennials, though an occasional Blacklegged Meadow Katydid may be found singing in a shrub. Katydids tend to prefer
damper habitats and some are found almost exclusively around ponds, marshes, and in
other wet areas. Drier areas are far more favorable for grasshoppers.
The two confirmed Conocephalus species that are present at Burton Wetlands are the
Short-winged Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis) and the Slender Meadow
Katydid (Conocephalus fasciatus). The Slender Meadow Katydid prefers tall grasses,
but Short-winged Meadow Katydids can be found in a variety of habitats. The Straightlanced Meadow Katydid, (Conocephalus strictus) is a drier upland species that does not
appear to be present at Burton Wetlands. The slightly larger Orchelimum meadow
katydids were represented at Burton Wetlands by the Gladiator Meadow Katydid
(Orchelimum gladiator), the Black-legged Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum nigripes), and
the Common Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum vulgare).
Although native shieldback katydids may be present in the woodland areas and wooded
edges, I did not encounter them during the survey. They are extremely wellcamouflaged ground-dwellers that are also soft singers, and they commonly sing only at
dusk and after dark. They may not be present or they may remain undetected. The
only shieldback katydid I found was the European Roesel’s Katydid. This species
matures earlier than most of our native katydids and prefers damp areas of tall grasses
or sedges.
Black-legged Meadow Katydid at the beaver pond on 9-21-10
Methods and Project Description: the baseline survey
1. Habitat Identification and Survey Routes
The first task of this survey was to identify different habitats and determine a survey
route that would cover representative examples of these habitats. I used the Kettle Trail
and the Glacial Trail as the basis of my route, but also walked the fire breaks as well. In
addition, I walked the path along part of Lake Kelso’s edge, struggled my way around a
good part of the beaver pond, and walked as much of the Calla Bog edge as seemed
safe, and explored the wet areas in the woods and the successional meadows between
the parking lot and Lake Kelso. I also added “Fireweed Meadow” on Old Rider Road
between the driveway and Pond Road; this turned out to be a very worthwhile addition
to my survey area.
2. Duration of the survey
I began looking and listening for the earliest species – Roesel’s Katydids and Spring
Field Crickets – in early June. I also began searching for cricket and katydid nymphs. I
was able to record the approximate beginning song dates for many species and
watched as the earlier ones became less common and eventually disappeared from the
concert stage in the fall.
I was able to record the approximate first dates for the songs of all the species I
documented, and was therefore able to compare the similarities and differences
between the meadow areas burned in 2009 and 2010. I was also able to observe how
those differences diminished as the season progressed.
By the beginning of October, the temperatures were already becoming too cold to add
additional species. Most of the Scudderia were no longer singing and most of the tree
crickets were silent as well. Ground crickets were still singing, however, and Blackhorned Tree Crickets continued to sing in every area except the woods. Evenings had
become far too chilly for insects to move their tiny wings fast enough to sing, and the
meadows became silent at sunset. By this time, however, the populations in all the
meadows had become almost identical and there were no longer obvious differences in
species numbers between those areas burned in 2009 and 2010. My last survey date
was 10-10-10.
3. Frequency
I conducted at least 35 trips to Burton Wetlands during the course of the survey,
averaging at least two visits per week. I did not necessarily cover all of the habitats
each time, as I wanted to do a more detailed study of my tiny subjects in their vast
areas. I generally allowed two survey visits to cover all the primary areas of study and
would periodically make a visit to explore areas not on my primary list.
4. Hours
A detailed cricket and katydid survey required afternoon and evening monitoring of
representative habitats, as some species sing only after dark. The mowed paths
through the meadow made night time access quite possible, as did the gravel path and
driveway back to Lake Kelso. Consequently, I was able to survey most areas well after
dark. Only the beaver pond, Calla Bog, and the woods between them were not safe to
walk after dark.
5. Use of recording equipment and photography
My recording equipment was an essential part of this survey. I used my field sound
recording equipment to assist with locating the singers and also to document their
presence. It can be very challenging to pinpoint the location of an individual singer
without the assistance of a highly-directional microphone, and it can also be difficult to
hear the softest singers when species with louder songs are singing. The data I
entered for the sound recordings includes the temperature, as this factor significantly
affects the speed and pitch of cricket and katydid songs.
My recording equipment allowed me to document species that I was not able to locate
visually. The Texas Bush Katydid and the Common Meadow Katydid have distinctive
songs and they can be reliably identified by those songs. Although I was never able to
get close enough to see them, their identities are clearly documents in the recordings.
Recording equipment also enabled me to identify the Round-tipped Conehead, as this
was not a species that I have encountered in NE Ohio before and would not have
expected to find. I had heard the song on the Songs of Insects field guide recording,
and was able to match the song to the species. I subsequently was able to actually find
singing individuals.
I also recorded a katydid song that is not on any audio guide. I have nicknamed this
insect the “Tapping Katydid,” and I recorded it in the tree line between the large
meadow and the smaller, tree line-enclosed meadow near the woods at the NW edge of
the park. I sent the recording of this insect to the authors of the field guides, but we do
not have a match for this mystery species at this time!
I took many photographs throughout the survey and have photo documentation for as
many species at each location as possible.
Materials
The equipment I used for this survey included a Marantz PMD 620 recorder and a
Sennheiser ME67 shotgun microphone, Adobe Audition software for editing sound files,
a Fuji Finepix S1000 camera, plastic containers for catching insects to identify and
photograph, a hand lens, and field guides.
I combined visual records with sound recordings for documentation and identification.
These insects often are not easy to locate, but recording their songs was useful both for
identifying them and for confirming their presence. Recording also helped make
distinctions between similar species possible, as visual identification for ground crickets
and Conocephalus meadow katydids is notoriously difficult.
Fireweed Meadow, 9-6-10. Black-horned Tree Crickets will love this tall goldenrod!
Survey Areas: how the park habitats were determined and described
Names, spreadsheet abbreviation, and area descriptions
Kettle Trail and adjoining areas on the west side of Old Rider Road
Meadow area 1 (M1)
Primarily tall grassy area near Old Rider Road on either side of the mowed path. Most
of the meadow areas are goldenrod and asters; this area is different because of the tall
grasses.
Meadow area 2 (M2)
Primarily goldenrod and asters, this meadow section extends from the first firebreak to
the tree line.
Meadow area 3 (M3)
This meadow area has far more asters than goldenrod. It extends from the tree line up
to the beaver pond.
Meadow area 4 (M4)
This is the small meadow encountered as one emerges from the woods and begins the
descent back down the hill. It is surrounded by the woods on two sides and tree
lines/hedge rows on the other two. It is primarily goldenrod with some blackberry. In
some areas, the goldenrod is taller than anywhere else on the west side of Old Rider
Road.
Meadow area 5 (M5)
Primarily goldenrod, this meadow extends from the M4 firebreak down to the next
firebreak line.
Meadow area 6 (M6)
This area extends from the central firebreak down to Old Rider Road. Primarily
goldenrod.
Meadow area 7 (M7)
The central meadow area between M3 and M5. It was not burned in 2010. Goldenrod
and asters.
Meadow area 8 (M8)
The central meadow area between M2 and M6. It was not burned in 2010. Goldenrod
and asters.
Beaver pond (P)
The edge of the beaver pond. Many buttonbushes, dogwoods, and plants typical of wet
areas.
Calla woods (CW): Dry woods between the beaver pond and meadows on the east end
and Calla Bog on the west. Some areas of the woods have very little understory,
although there are shrubs and generally more vegetation on the edge near the beaver
pond. The woods are generally dry with a few damper areas and a tiny brook that
almost dried up in the summer; I explored these areas as well as those along the path.
Calla bog (C): The edge of the bog: Buttonbushes, deciduous holly, bog and wetland
plants.
Glacier Trail and adjoining areas on the east side of Old Rider Road
Parking Lot (PL): Circumference of the parking lot, including mowed area and pines.
Parking Lot Meadow (PLM): Successional meadow with goldenrod and other
herbaceous plants, shrubs such as dogwoods, and small fruit trees. This dense,
tangled area is difficult to walk through. It descends to a swale and is bordered on the
west by Old Rider Road.
Gravel Path (GP): The path back to Lake Kelso, including the open young woods and
edge of the thicket meadow.
Kelso path meadow (KM): Meadow/thicket which runs up small hill from gravel path.
Lake Kelso edge, wet meadow, and observation deck (K).
Driveway between Kelso and Old Rider Road (D).
Fireweed Meadow (FWM) Drier, more open meadow habitat with greater plant diversity.
Map of survey area
The bottom of the page is east and the top of the page is west .
As you look up the page, you are looking up the hill.
Calla Bog
“Calla woods”
M4
Beaver
Pond
Large meadow
and Kettle Trail
Fireweed
Meadow
Parking lot
and path
to lake
Lake Kelso
M4
4Ω
M7
M3
M5
M8
M2
M6
M1
FWM
SM
Meadow sections 1 through 8, Fireweed Meadow,
and the successional meadow next to the parking lot.
Meadow areas 4, 5, 6, and Fireweed Meadow were burned in 2010.
Meadow areas 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 were burned in 2009.
The successional meadow is not burned.
Species present and how they were –
or were not – affected by meadow burning
Meadow Katydids: Conocephalus
One would expect that meadow katydids would be quite common in the large meadow
areas of Burton Wetlands, but this was not the case. In fact, I found Conocephalus
meadow katydids in only a few specific, limited locations. This is quite a contrast to the
Geauga Park District preserves I surveyed in 2009: Observatory Park’s Gas Well and
Pond Parcels, and Oakton Park Preserve.
Short-winged Meadow Katydids (Conocephalus brevipennis) are our most frequentlyencountered and adaptable meadow katydids in NE Ohio. Surprisingly, they were far
less common at Burton Wetlands than I would have expected. I only found them in the
Lake Kelso vicinity, the fire break edge between the upper (west) edge of the large
meadow, and in Fireweed Meadow. I do not know if they were limited by lack of grassy
habitat or by the regular burning of the meadows – or perhaps both. They would prefer
a diverse meadow habitat that includes more grassy vegetation than the consistently tall
goldenrod/aster mix in the Burton Wetlands meadows. Because Fireweed Meadow is
burned on alternate years but has more diverse vegetation, I wonder if meadow
katydids are limited more by habitat than by the direct effects of burning.
Slender Meadow Katydids (Conocephalus fasciatus) definitely prefer grassier areas
than the goldenrod/aster meadows of Burton Wetlands. I found them in two places: the
small wet meadow by Lake Kelso and in an open, grassy area of Fireweed Meadow.
On October 8th I spotted an unfamiliar meadow katydid in the cutgrass at the beaver
pond. He appeared to be a bit smaller than a Short-winged Meadow Katydid and he
was…red! Although insects in autumn can take on the changing color of the plants they
consume, I have never seen a uniformly red meadow katydid. His cerci appeared a
little longer and flatter than the Short-winged Meadow Katydid, and I had never seen
any Conocephalus meadow katydids around the pond in the past.
He may well have been a Long-tailed Meadow Katydid: Conocephalus attenuatus.
There is little information available on this species, although it has been recorded in a
number of counties in Ohio including in our area. It lives specifically in wet areas such
as marshes and pond edges and is brown or reddish brown rather than green.
Short-winged and Slender Meadow Katydids at Fireweed Meadow on 9-6-10
Red Conocephalus meadow katydid at the
Beaver Pond on October 8, 2010 – possibly
Conocephalus attenuatus
Meadow Katydids: Orchelimum
Meadow katydids in this genus are larger than Conocephalus meadow katydids and
have a slightly different body shape. Their songs are also a little louder and easier to
detect.
Gladiator Meadow Katydids (Orchelimum gladiator) are wet meadow and marsh
residents who mature earlier than other meadow katydids. They were numerous for a
rather brief time around the beaver pond, which is an excellent habitat for them. They
were also in the nearby meadow areas (M3 and M2), becoming more common closer to
the beaver pond. At no time did I hear or see any in the areas burned in 2010, but
these areas are also farther from the beaver pond. I first recorded them on June 25th,
and they were gone by August 1st.
Black-legged Meadow Katydids (Orchelimum nigripes) are found specifically in wet
areas and around ponds, and I found them as I expected at Lake Kelso, the Beaver
Pond, and Calla Bog. Their habitats are never burned so this would not be a factor in
their populations.
Common Meadow Katydids (Orchelimum vulgare) actually are NOT a species I
commonly find in Geauga, Lake, Summit, and Cuyahoga Counties. I recorded two
individuals widely-separated locations within the large meadow. The first location was
near the fire break edge M6, which was burned in 2010. However, the katydids were
quite close to the firebreak edge and it is not clear how they were affected by the
burning this year. The second location was near an isolated tree far from the path in
M2/8, an area not burned in 2010. I only heard this species in those two specific
locations on two occasions each, so they clearly are not common in Burton Wetlands
meadows. I was not able to catch either individual but have good sound recordings of
both.
Black-legged Meadow Katydid, 10-10-10 and Gladiator Meadow Katydid, 7-10-10
Black-legged Meadow Katydid female, 8-24-10
Conehead Katydids: Neocononcephalus
Sword-bearing Coneheads (Neoconocephalus ensiger) were plentiful in the meadows.
Their typical habitat is meadows and pond edges, so their abundance is not surprising.
These seed-eating katydids were numerous in all meadow areas and did not seem to
be affected by burning. After dark, the mowed path through the meadow often seemed
to be lined on either side with singing coneheads; they were audible at all times. They
began singing around July 21st and continued to do so until the evenings were too chilly
for them to sing.
Sword-bearing Coneheads oviposit in the crowns of grass clumps, so it seems likely
that they are less affected by burning that those species whose eggs are in lessprotected vegetation. I noticed no difference whatsoever in numbers of individuals or
dates of maturation in the areas burned in 2009 and 2010.
Sword-bearing Conehead, 10-9-10. It is unusual to see one in the daylight!
Round-tipped Coneheads (Neoconocephalus retusus) were a most unexpected
discovery, as range maps do not show this species in the northern half of Ohio. I first
began hearing a song I could not identify in late August, but it was in the distance and
somewhat obscured by the large numbers of Black-horned Tree Crickets singing at that
time. I finally recorded three of them on August 30th and was eventually able to see one
of these elusive coneheads. I subsequently found them in M3, M4, M6, M8, and
Fireweed Meadow. Although the field guides state that they begin singing in later
afternoon, the Burton Wetlands individuals refused to sing before dark. They were not
numerous, but there definitely were several singing males. After my initial discovery of
this species at Burton Wetlands, Geauga Park District naturalist Linda Gilbert found –
and splendidly photographed – one on her property in South Russell.
Photo by Linda Gilbert of the Round-tipped Conehead on her South Russell property
Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia)
I heard this common treetop species from July 21 through late September. They
probably were still present beyond that time, but evening temperatures dropped too
quickly for them to sing. They were in all the taller trees from the woods to the tree lines
and even isolated individual trees out in the meadow. This species lives exclusively up
in trees, and would therefore not be affected by meadow burning.
Bush Katydids: Scudderia
Bush katydids of this genus generally are found in dry or damp meadows, around
ponds, wetlands, and edge habitats.
Three of the four Scudderia species common in meadows were present at Burton
Wetlands, and a fourth could not be confirmed. The Broad-winged Bush Katydid
(Scudderia pistillata) matures earlier than the others and was singing in the meadows
from July 1st through the third week of August. I found them in almost every relatively
open area I surveyed, and there were many in the larger meadow. They were always
far more common in the areas burned in 2009 than those burned in 2010.
Broad-winged Bush Katydid, 7-27-10
Curve-tailed Bush katydids (Scudderia curvicauda) are the bush katydids I most
commonly encounter in NE Ohio. They began to sing at Burton Wetlands by July 22
and a few were still singing at the beginning of October. They eventually became the
most common bush katydid in the meadows and I found them in all areas but the woods
and Calla Bog. They became as common in the areas burned in 2010 as in those
burned in 2009 or not at all. These katydids are strong fliers, and could conceivably
move more easily into other areas than many other species.
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid in Fireweed Meadow, 9-6-10.
This individual could be relocated in the same specific area on subsequent visits.
The Texas Bush Katydid (Scudderia texensis) shares the same habitat as the other two
Scudderia. They mature a little later in the season and generally seem to replace the
Broad-winged Bush Katydids in the meadows. This species was far less numerous at
Burton Wetlands than the Broad-winged and Curve-tailed Bush Katydids. I also did not
hear them for very long – only from August 30th through September 18th. I heard them
in M1, M2, M3, and at the edge of the parking lot. I did not hear them in any of the
areas that were burned this year.
I suspected that I may have heard an occasional Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia
furcata) in M3 but could not confirm this species. This katydid’s song is short, singlesyllable “Pffft!” It is not at all distinctive and other bush katydids have call notes that
are comparable. I believe that occasional occurrences of this sound need to be visually
verified.
Scudderia oviposit in plant material and therefore could be impacted by meadow
burning. Broad-winged Bush Katydids were consistently more numerous in the areas
burned in 2009, and the Texas Bush Katydids that did sing were only in areas burned in
2009 or not at all. Excellent habitat was available on both sides of the meadow.
Bush Katydids: Microcentrum
Greater Anglewings (Microcentrum rhombifolium) are a tree species that generally
seems to mature later in August. I did hear them, but only in one specific location: the
entrance to the Kettle Trail. There was much singing and calling on the night of August
31st in the larger maple and nearby apple tree. I did not hear them again and was
surprised that I did not hear them along the gravel path back to Lake Kelso or along the
driveway. Because they are an arboreal species, they would not have been affected by
burning.
Bush Katydids: Amblychorypha
Oblong-winged Katydids (Amblychorypha oblongifolia) were present in a variety of
habitats. They did not have consistent locations, so hearing them was always a bit of a
surprise. This katydid is commonly found in shrubs and edge habitats, but they
occasionally appeared in more open areas such as the edge of the observation deck
path at Lake Kelso. They were numerous along the driveway back to Lake Kelso and in
the shrubs along Old Rider Road when they first began to sing on July 21 st, and I later
found them near the edges of M2, M4, M7, the beaver pond, and at the entrance to the
meadow trail. They are not common out in the meadows, and they may not have been
affected by burning as a result. When they appear on the spreadsheet as occurring in
meadow sections, they were actually singing at the edges of those meadows.
The Rattler Round-winged Katydid (Amblychoripha rotundifolia) is a species that does
occur in our range, but I had never heard or seen them before. This delightful little bush
katydid seemed to be everywhere when they first began singing on July 21 st and 22nd.
Their number decreased somewhat after that, but they continued to appear throughout
the meadow and edge areas through September 23 rd. I found them in all the meadow
areas, along the firebreaks, in edge habitats, and along Old Rider Road.
Rattler Round-winged Katydids oviposit “in damp soil at the base of plants,” according
to John Himmelman’s Guide to Night-singing Insects of the Northeast. They may not be
impacted by burning for this reason and may in fact thrive where other bush katydids
are somewhat limited. I found them to be fairly common at Burton Wetlands and they
seemed equally likely in the areas burned in 2009 and 2010.
Female Rattler Round-winged Katydid, 8-10-10
Shieldback Katydids: Metrioptera
The only shieldback I found was the non-native Roesel’s Katydid (Metrioptera roeselii).
This European introduction is found in damp, grassy areas and appears to mature
earlier than most katydids. Its habitat requirements are similar to those of the Slender
Meadow Katydid, but it can also be found in wetter areas. Roesel’s Katydids were
found early in the season and disappeared as our native katydids became more
numerous. I only found this species in the tall grasses at the bottom of the meadow not
far from Old Rider Road.
As mentioned earlier, native shieldbacks could be present but simply undetected. They
do not sing until dusk and these brown, ground-dwelling katydids blend perfectly with
their leaf litter habitat. Their songs are soft, high rattles that are easily covered up by
other species; consequently, detection of these katydids seems to require luck as well
as diligence!
Roesel’s Katydid nymph, 6-17-10
An unsolved mystery: the “tapping katydid”
On September 21st I heard a katydid song that I did not recognize. It sounded like the
rhythm and tempo of a Common True Katydid, but was a tapping sound rather than a
scraping sound. Also, the groupings of “taps” were 4, 5, and even 6 compared to the
comparable groupings of 2, 3, and occasionally 4 of the Common True Katydid.
I was able to record it and narrow down its area to the tree line separating M4 from M5;
however, the tree line is bordered on both sides by blackberry, roses, grape vines, and
dogwoods. There was no way to get closer – especially in the dark!
I went back in the afternoon to mark the spot and work out a way to get in after dark.
Geauga Park District naturalist Linda Gilbert and I stood directly beneath its tree as it
tapped and tapped, but it was too high up to reach and did not respond to recorded
playback of its own song.
I sent my recording to Wil Hershberger (co-author of The Songs of Insects) and John
Himmelman (author of Guide to Night-singing Insects of the Northeast). None had
heard this song before. There are no matches for this song in the field guide recordings
or even on Tom Walker’s Singing Insect of North America website. The rhythm is
reminiscent of the Common True Katydid and the tapping closer to the ticks of a
Microcentrum. Common True Katydids were on the other end of the tree line, but there
were no other katydids in the tapping katydid’s section of meadow edge tree line.
Linda Gilbert and I had hoped to organize a search party; enthusiastic GPD staff and
other naturalists volunteered to join us. Unfortunately, the weather quickly turned much
colder and wetter. I did hear – and record – him again when temperatures briefly
warmed just enough for him to sing on October 9th.
I thought he was the only katydid singing this unusual song, but while editing the
Oblong winged sound files I faintly heard – and saw on the sonogram - a second
tapping katydid in the background. This individual was singing back by Lake Kelso!
Sadly, we will have to wait until next year to see if we hear the song again.
Tapping Katydid
Crickets
Spring and Fall Field Crickets
The Spring Field Cricket (Gryllus veletis) and Fall Field Cricket (Gryllus pennsylvanicus)
are distinguishable only by the time of year in which they sing. They share the same
habitat and their songs are identical. I did not hear Spring Field Crickets at Burton
Wetlands. They are in the area, though, as I did hear them in the corn stubble of a
nearby field on Pond Road.
Fall Field Crickets began singing a little earlier than usual this year, and I heard the first
individuals at Burton Wetlands on July 16. It was very interesting to listen to their
increasing numbers – and number of locations – as the summer progressed. They
initially were only singing in Fireweed Meadow, but then began to sing in the parking lot.
Their next location was along Old Rider Road, and then I began to hear them scattered
in various meadow areas. The meadows never had large number of Fall Field Crickets,
however, as the drier, more open areas of Fireweed Meadow, the parking lot, and along
the road suited them best. Their numbers dropped substantially after mid-September,
which seemed early for such a sharp decline. A few persisted through October 1st, and
the last Fall Field Cricket still sang softly and hoarsely in Fireweed Meadow on October
10th.
A particularly loud Fall Field Cricket used the Burton Wetlands parking lot pavilion as his
personal amphitheater. He would disappear into cracks in the stones during the day
and emerge after dusk. Singing from the cracks between the stone he amplified his
sound with the pavilion. He could easily be heard all around the parking lot!
Ground Crickets
Carolina Ground Crickets (Eunemobius carolinus), as expected, could be heard
everywhere. The first individual song was under the observation deck at Lake Kelso on
July 7th, and these tough little crickets were still singing in great numbers at the
beginning of October.
Striped Ground Crickets (Allonemobius fasciatus) were present as expected in the
damp locations, but they were also common in the dry habitat of Fireweed Meadow.
Allard’s Ground Crickets (Allonemobius allardi) sang in the drier locations and their
numbers in Fireweed Meadow were quite impressive. Both Striped and Allard’s Ground
Crickets were found in the meadows and parking lot. Striped were quite common near
Lake Kelso and the beaver pond and Allard’s could generally be heard in the parking lot
area. They were still very active in early October, as the warm earth helped
compensate for the falling temperatures.
My unexpected singer from last year, the Cuban Ground Cricket (Neonemobius
cubensis) was one of the most common crickets at Burton Wetlands. I found them in
every area except the woods, including every section of the large meadow. I heard the
first one on August 1st in the grass next to the gravel path by the observation deck, and
a great many of them still were singing in early October. Although the meadow
vegetation was very high, these tiny crickets seemed at home at the base of any clumps
of grass hidden within the goldenrod.
Ground crickets oviposit in the soil and none seemed to be directly affected by meadow
burning. Their numbers seemed comparable in favorable habitats. In fact,
Neonemobius cubensis was widespread in the meadow areas burned this year.
Male and female Striped Ground Crickets, Fireweed Meadow, 10-1-10
Tree Crickets and Trigs
Black-horned Tree Crickets (Oecanthus nigricornis) could be called the “Voice of the
Meadow.” This cricket is extremely numerous on goldenrods and blackberries, and can
also be found on dogwoods. (It could also be found in viburnums before the arrival of
the Viburnum Leaf Beetle.) The Black-horned Tree Crickets’ loud songs resonated in a
massive chorus throughout all the meadows and near Lake Kelso.
Four-spotted Tree Crickets (Oecanthus quadripunctatus) have a similar song – in fact,
at warm temperatures it is virtually identical. I did not assume a cricket is a Fourspotted unless I could actually see it. I confirmed Four-spotteds in a number of meadow
areas, especially in their preferred drier, more upland areas.
Burning did seem to have a noticeable effect on these crickets, and I will discuss what I
found in the report section on meadow burning.
Black-horned Tree Cricket, 8-25-10
Four-spotted Tree Cricket, 9-21-10
Davis’s Tree Cricket (Oecanthus exclamations) was common in the woods, at the
woodland edges and hedge row areas, and around Lake Kelso in early August. Twospotted Tree Crickets (Neoxabea bipunctata), one of the earlier tree crickets, were
singing up in the trees by July 22nd . I no longer heard them after the third week of
September, though occasional Davis’s Tree Crickets were still singing at the end of
September and an occasional individual could be heard as late as October 10th. They
are found in trees and shrubs – especially dogwoods – and were therefore not affected
by meadow burning. Davis’s Tree Crickets consistently sang in the dogwoods where
the Kettle Path entered and exited the woods and also were present along the border of
the woods and the upper meadow.
Pine Tree Crickets (Oecanthus pini) sang from the pines in the parking lot, near Lake
Kelso, and in the woods between the meadows and Calla Bog. Where there were
pines, there were Pine Tree Crickets. Because of their specific habitat, they, too are not
affected by burning.
The tiny Say’s Trig (Anaxipha exigua) was common in shrubs and lower vegetation.
Quite a few sang from the shrubs surrounding the beaver pond, Lake Kelso, and Calla
Bog, and some were along the gravel path back to Lake Kelso and in the willows in
M1/M2. This species seems to be very fond of buttonbushes! They were common in
their preferred habitat through September, but only a few could sporadically be heard in
October. Although in other locations I have heard them singing in taller vegetation as
well as shrubs, they generally appeared to be limited to shrubs at Burton Wetlands.
Fire may impact them, but I do not have adequate information to determine if this in
indeed the case.
As discussed earlier, the Handsome Trig (Phyllopalpus puchellus) is not present at
Burton Wetlands or at other parks and preserves east of Route 306. Suitable habitat
certainly exists for them, but only Say’s Trigs were present.
Say’s Trig, 8-24-10
Methods and Project Description specific
to the meadow burning study
My goal for this part of the survey was to determine if meadow burning was affecting
any of the cricket and katydid species at Burton Wetlands. Are there species that
should be present but are not? If so, is burning the reason, or are there other factors
such as habitat? Are habitat requirements compromised by burning?
Which areas were burned in 2010 and which in 2009? Are some species reduced or
eliminated in the areas burned this year? Do their populations rebound the following
year when those areas are not burned?
The primary areas I compared were M4, M5, and M6 (burned in 2010) with M1, M2, and
M3 (burned in 2009). I also noted similarities and differences between M5/M6 and
M7/M8, as they are adjacent. Fireweed Meadow was burned in 2010 but it is
considerably different from the other meadow areas. Although it was not on my original
survey route, I added this meadow area when I realized that there were significant
orthopteran song differences in that particular “concert hall.”
There is no equal meadow area for a control; the meadow areas listed above are
burned on alternate years. The successional meadows do not appear to be burned at
any time. However, their small trees, shrubs, and tangles result in somewhat different
habitat that is also logistically difficult to survey. I initially thought they might provide a
reasonable control, but as they grew increasingly dense it became clear that they would
not.
Successional meadow near parking lot.
Wall of goldenrod in meadow burned in 2010.
Defining smaller target study areas
I decided to experiment with setting up four test plots (Q1-Q4); two in areas burned in
2009 and two in areas burned in 2010. These would be 40’ square and I would monitor
by ear the number of singing male cricket in each plot.
My plan was to find a contrast in elevation and dryness, as this could affect the species
likely to be present. For example, Black-horned Tree Crickets are at home in both drier
and damper areas. Four-spotted Tree Crickets prefer a somewhat drier upland habitat
with more asters. Black-horned Tree Crickets love goldenrod. Allard’s Ground
Crickets prefer drier areas and Striped Ground Crickets are generally found in damper
areas.
My focus would be on crickets because they are small, they don’t appear to move
around very much, and their songs are easy to hear and record. Bush katydids can fly
– some quite well. While some individuals may be very site-loyal to a particular clump
of vegetation, others may choose to move around in larger areas. Consequently, I
would not be able to get an accurate comparison.
Q1 was located in M2 and Q2 in M3 where the terrain was a little higher and more dry.
Q3 and Q4 were different areas of M6, and both were far away from the mowed path
that divided burned from unburned areas. Q3 was significantly drier than Q4, and Q4
was in a considerably lower part of the meadow.
Other factors included nearby nesting birds and their tolerance for my presence in their
territories. Red-winged Blackbirds and Tree Swallows literally ran me out of a couple of
my first-choice locations!
I tried for a mix of vegetation as well so that I could get a better cross section. I also
avoided teasel and thistle, as these are not attractive plants for crickets or for sound
equipment with cables and cords.
I set up the four 40’ square areas and marked them in late June, knowing that it would
be far more difficult to do so when the crickets matured in late July or early August. The
goldenrod in particular would simply be too high.
I also set up a 40’ square area in the small successional meadow off the gravel path
toward Lake Kelso in case it would be useful as a control area.
When monitoring the meadow plots, I would alternate which ones I surveyed first. Time
and temperature can dramatically affect insect song, and I did not want to survey the
same areas first each time in case there were variables. If it were always colder when I
surveyed Q3 and Q4 than when I surveyed Q1 and Q2, I would be introducing another
factor – temperature variation.
How it worked: differently from expected, but valuable information nonetheless!
As soon as the Gladiator Meadow Katydids matured I immediately saw a difference
between M2/M3 and M5/M6. Gladiators were not present in M4,5, and 6 at all. Is this
because they like wetter areas and M3 is close to the beaver pond, or is this a result of
M4,5, and 6 being burned this year?
Broad-winged Bush Katydids were initially more common in M2/M3 than in M5/M6.
They are less tied to wet areas than Gladiator Meadow Katydids, so burning could be a
factor.
Rattler Round-winged Katydids and Sword-bearing Coneheads were equally common in
the areas burned in 2009 and 2010. Sword-bearing Coneheads oviposit in the crowns
of grass clumps, and according to John Himmelman’s Guide to Night-singing Insects of
the Northeast the eggs of katydids in the genus Amblychorypha “are deposited in the
damp soil at the base of plants.” The eggs of Sword-bearing Coneheads and Rattler
Round-winged Katydids may therefore have some protection from fire.
Ground crickets, not surprisingly, oviposit in the ground. Their populations seemed no
different in the areas burned different years.
Black-horned and Four-spotted Tree Crickets were a very different story. Black-horned
Tree Crickets oviposit in plant material such as goldenrod stems, blackberry canes, and
dogwood stems. Last year’s goldenrod stems and blackberry canes would have been
burned in M4, M5, and M6. How could their eggs survive?
It seems likely that they did not. When Black-horned and Four-spotted Tree Crickets
began to sing in late July and early August, M4, M5, and M6 were silent. A few tree
crickets sang on the absolute edge. Perhaps the vegetation right on the path line did
not burn. Once inside these meadows, however, it was so quiet and my 40’ plots
seemed irrelevant.
The absence of tree cricket song was especially evident when I walked the fire break
from the mowed path north toward the property line. No tree crickets sang at all.
Allard’s, Striped, and Carolina Ground Cricket songs were comparable, followed shortly
thereafter by Cuban Ground Crickets everywhere. At night, Sword-bearing Coneheads
sang equally in all areas, and Rattler Round-winged Katydids could turn up anywhere.
But the tree crickets simply were not there.
Then something unexpected happened: the tree cricket numbers gradually, but steadily
increased in the burned areas. What would cause this? Were they moving into the
burned areas from the edges, or were they simply maturing later because of the
burning?
It seems logical that it was not late development because the eggs probably would not
have survived. Could the numbers increase through species movement? These small
crickets don’t seem to fly much or fly far, but their numbers slowly, steadily increased.
By mid-September, both sides of the meadow sounded comparable. Even along the
firebreak in M6, Black-horned Tree Crickets were now singing.
When I measured the numbers of Black-horned Tree Crickets in the plots in August, the
numbers of tree crickets were higher in Q1 and Q2. By the second week of September,
however, the determining factor was no longer burned/unburned, but where there was
the most goldenrod!
Black-horned Tree Crickets love goldenrod. As the plants in the meadows grew, it
because clear that there would be more goldenrod in Q3 and Q4 and more asters in Q1
and especially Q2. Ultimately, there were more Black-horned Tree Crickets in Q3 and
Q4, even though that meadow had been burned this year! Consequently, it would
appear that burning hurt their numbers early on, but the abundance of goldenrod helped
restore their numbers later. Goldenrod is a preferred plant for these crickets, and
goldenrod is fire-tolerant. The fire that presumably destroyed last year’s eggs also
could have encouraged the growth of this year’s goldenrod.
The effects of burning on the vegetation in the meadows could indirectly affect species
distribution of crickets and katydids.
For example, if Rattler Round-winged Katydids oviposit in the ground they may be less
affected by burning than species like the Scudderia bush katydids that oviposit in
vegetation. Burning might therefore encourage the Rattler Round-wingeds, and
perhaps this could be reason that this species is common at Burton Wetlands but not in
other meadows.
Short-winged and certainly Slender Meadow Katydids prefer grassier areas than the tall,
dense goldenrod/aster meadows at Burton Wetlands. This would also be true for
Roesel’s Katydid. If burning encourages these taller, heavier plants, is it possible that
burning indirectly limits the available habitat for meadow katydids?
It would be interesting to see if the process is reversed next year when M1, M2, M3, M7,
and M8 are burned but M4, M5, and M6 are not.
Black-horned Tree Crickets in the goldenrod at Burton Wetlands
B
Black-horned Tree Cricket singing, 9-1-10
Black-horned female, 9-21-10
Black-horned Tree Crickets mating, 9-18-10
Black-horned Tree Cricket ovipositing in blackberry cane, M4, 10-1-10
Burton Wetlands, 4-1-10
Where she oviposits will determine if burning affects her eggs. The Black-legged
Meadow Katydid on the left is at a lake edge, but the Short-winged Meadow Katydid on
the right oviposits in grasses and other plants that could be affected by meadow
burning. (Both of these katydids were photographed at Beartown Lakes on 10-11-10.)
Conclusions
Burton Wetlands supports a diverse list of crickets and katydids, though meadow
katydid numbers and distribution seemed quite low. Available habitat for them is
limited, and they may be adversely affected by burning as well. Short-winged Meadow
Katydids are generally the most widely-present meadow katydids in our region. They
live in areas from meadows to wetlands and woodland edges – even weedy vacant lots
and parking lot edges. However, their numbers and locations at Burton Wetlands were
quite limited. Slender Meadow katydids seem to have more specific requirements, and
their preferred grassy habitat is not widely available at Burton Wetlands. Straightlanced Meadow Katydids are a species that might find the drier, more open areas of
Fireweed Meadow to their liking but I found no individuals of this species.
Black-legged Meadow Katydids live in marshes and pond edges; they are doing well in
the expected habitats. Gladiator Meadow Katydids were found as expected by the
beaver pond but were limited in the meadows burned in 2009 and not present in those
areas burned in 2010. Common Meadow Katydids were extremely limited; I only found
two individuals each in two separated meadow locations.
Orthoptera species that oviposit in or close to the ground, such as Sword-bearing
Coneheads, Rattler Round-winged Katydids, ground crickets, and grasshoppers, seem
to be relatively unaffected by burning. Spring Field Crickets, which overwinter as
nymphs and mature in late spring, may be absent from Burton Wetlands because of
meadow burning; this species can be found in nearby fields on Pond Road.
Those species that oviposit in plant material such as leaves and stems are impacted by
this management process. This would include the tree crickets that live on herbaceous
meadow plants and at least two of the Scudderia bush katydid species. The limited,
localized numbers of meadow katydids, as stated above, may be at least partly a result
of meadow burning.
The numbers of some impacted species, such as Black-horned Tree Crickets, seem to
rebound over the course of the season. I would speculate that they move into the
burned areas from neighboring meadow areas and firebreak edges, although they are
small insects that do not seem to move very far.
Fireweed Meadow provided contrast to the other meadow areas because of its relative
dryness and its diverse plant species. The majority of Burton Wetlands’ Fall Field
Crickets and Allard’s Ground Crickets are concentrated here. And both Short-winged
and Slender Meadow Katydids have found areas of vegetation that support them.
The small, wet meadow area near the Lake Kelso observation deck supports a nice
diversity of crickets and katydid species. I did not find anything unusual along the lake
edge areas to which I had access, nor did I find any surprises at the edge of Calla Bog.
The forest floor in the wooded areas seemed very open and empty, which I would
imagine is from deer browse. Carolina Ground Crickets were singing, but perhaps
additional species might be present if there were more vegetation on the forest floor.
The habitat – dry, open woods – appears suitable for Spotted Ground Crickets and
Confused Ground Crickets.
I had hoped to find Sphagnum Ground Crickets (Neonemobius palustris), but they
apparently require an actual bog mat. An open bog mat does not exist at Lake Kelso,
although there may be more favorable habitat at nearby Fern Lake or White Pine Bog.
The Sphagnum Ground Cricket’s cousin, Neonemobius cubensis, is thriving and is one
of the most common species in all habitats except the woods.
Edges such as the gravel path back to Lake Kelso, the driveway from Old Rider Road,
the parking lot perimeter, and the edges of Old Rider Road all had crickets and
katydids, and these edges were often good locations for Oblong-winged Katydids and
tree crickets in addition to the Black-horned and Four-spotted Tree Crickets. Davis’s,
sang in the shrubs and smaller trees, Two-spotted Tree Crickets were prominent in the
trees, Pine Tree Crickets sang from large and younger pines, and the Common True
Katydids’ raspy, insistent chorus could be heard in all the wooded areas and tree lines.
It has been fascinating to observe the shifting numbers of tree crickets in the meadow
as summer progressed into early autumn and to watch the progression of species from
the first nymphs of early June to the tough survivors of mid-October. When the first
frost arrived in mid-October, intriguing questions still remained. Will the meadow areas
that are burned in April, 2011 look – and sound – like those burned in 2010 did this
year? Will the areas burned in 2010 rebound in 2011? And finally….will we hear the
mysterious “tapping katydid” song echo from the M4 tree line out across the meadow
once again?
Resources consulted
Bland, Robert G. 2003. The Orthoptera of Michigan – Biology, Keys, and Descriptions
of Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets. Michigan State University Extension, East
Lansing, Michigan. 220 pages.
Carpina, John L., Ralph D. Scott, and Thomas Walker, 2004. Grasshoppers, Katydids,
and Crickets of the United States. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. 249
pages.
Dethier, Vincent G. 1992. Crickets and Katydids, Concerts and Solos, Harvard
University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 142 pages.
Elliott, Lang and Wil Hershberger, 2006. The Songs of Insects, Houghton Mifflin
Company, Boston and New York. 226 pages.
Gwynne, Darryl T. 2001 Katydids and Bush-crickets: Reproductive Behavior and
Evolution of the Tettigoniidae. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. 317 pages.
Himmelman, John, 2008. Guide to Night-singing Insects of the Northeast, Stackpole
Books, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. 151 pages.
Web resources:
Walker, Thomas J. and Thomas E. Moore. Singing Insects of North America
http://www.entnemdept.ufl.edu/walker/buzz/
Black-horned Tree Cricket in asters instead of goldenrod: 10-8-10
Katydid Species List for Burton Wetlands, 2010
Conocephalus
Short-winged Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis) 8-16-10
Slender Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus fasciatus) 8-29-10
*Long-tailed Meadow Katydid (Conocephalus attenuatus) 10-8-10 (TENTATIVE
IDENTIFICATION)*
Orchelimum
Black-legged Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum nigripes)8-10-10
Common Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum vulgare)8-25-10
Gladiator Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum gladiator)7-1-10
Neoconocephalus
Sword-bearing Conehead (Neoconocephalus ensiger) nymph 7-10-10, many adults on
7-21-10
Round-tipped Conehead (Neoconocephalus retusus) 8-30-10
Pterophylla
Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia) 7-21-10
Amblychorypha
Rattler Round-winged Katydid (Amblychorypha rotundifolia) 7-21-10
Oblong-winged Katydid (Amblychorypha oblongifolia)7-21-10
Microcentrum
Greater Anglewing (Microcentrum rhombifolium)8-31-10
Scudderia
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid (Scudderia curvicauda)7-22-10
Texas Bush Katydid (Scudderia texensis) 8-30-10
Broad-winged Bush Katydid (Scudderia pistillata) 7-1-10
Metrioptera
Roesel’s Katydid (Metrioptera roeselii) nymphs 6-17-10
Cricket Species List for Burton Wetlands, 2010
Grillus
Fall Field Cricket (Grillus pennsylvanicus) 7-16-10
Eunemobius
Carolina Ground Cricket (Eunemobius carolinus) 7-7-10
Allonemobius
Allards Ground Cricket (Allonemobius allardi) 7-17-10
Striped Ground Cricket (Allonemobius fasciatus) 7-11-10
Neonemobius
Cuban Ground Cricket (Neonemobiius cubensis) 8-1-10
Oecanthus
Black-horned Tree Cricket nymph (Oecanthus nigricornis) 7-17-10, adults 8-2-10
Pine Tree Cricket (Oecanthus pini) 7-21-10
Four-spotted Tree Cricket (Oecanthus quadripunctatus) 7-27-10
Davis’s Tree Cricket (Oecanthus exclamationis) 8-2-10 (but probably earlier)
Neoxabea
Two-spotted Tree Cricket (Neoxabea bipunctata) 7-22-10
Anaxipha
Says Trig (Anaxipha exigua) 7-21-10
Grasshoppers: a partial list of Burton Wetland species
Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrhubrum)
Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus)
Other Melanoplus species
Chortophaga viridifasciata
Short-winged Green Grasshopper
Marsh Meadow Grasshopper
Carolina Band-winged Grasshopper
Two-striped Grasshoppper in M4 on 9-13-10: Melanoplus bivittatus
Burton Wetlands 2010 Cricket and Katydid CD recording contents:
All but three of the confirmed Burton Wetlands singers are recorded here.
Conocephalus meadow katydids are not included because their songs are so soft and
high, and I did not hear any Roesel’s Katydids sing during the brief time they were
present.
1. Introduction and Broad-winged Bush Katydid/Gladiator Meadow Katydid duet
2. Fall Field Cricket:
3 The last Fall Field Cricket in Fireweed Meadow
4. Carolina Ground Cricket
5. Allard’s Ground Cricket
6. Striped Ground Cricket:
7. Cuban Ground Cricket
8. Black-horned Tree Cricket
9. Black-horned Tree Cricket: Old, but still singing
10. Four-spotted Tree Cricket
11. Comparison of Four-spotted and Black-horned Tree Crickets
12. Pine Tree Cricket
13. Davis’s Tree Cricket
14. Two-spotted Tree Cricket
15. Say’s Trig:
16. Gladiator Meadow Katydid
17. Black-legged Meadow Katydid,
18. Common Meadow Katydid
19. Broad-winged Bush Katydid
20. Curve-tailed Bush Katydid:
21. Texas Bush Katydid
22. Sword-bearing Conehead
23. Round-tipped Conehead
24. Greater Anglewing
25. Rattler Round-winged Katydid
26. Oblong-winged Katydid
27. Common True Katydid
28. The “Tapping Katydid”
Black-legged Meadow Katydid singing in the sun at the Beaver Pond on October 10th
Four-spotted Tree Crickets on 9-21-10 and 8-25-10
Gladiator Meadow Katydid near beaver pond, 7-7-10 and
Black-legged Meadow Katydid at Lake Kelso, 9-7-10
Male Black-horned Tree Crickets on goldenrod, 9-21-10 and 10-8-10
Black-horned Tree Cricket wings, Beaver Pond 10-8-10 and Fireweed Meadow 9-1-10
Grasshoppers, two Melanoplus sp. from M4 on 9-13 and Fireweed Meadow on 10-10
Chortophaga viridifasciata, green form: Fireweed Meadow 10-10-10
2010 Survey Spreadsheets
(If you are reading this document from CD,
the spreadsheets are saved as a separate Excel file)
Black-horned Tree Cricket face, 8-25-10
Burton Wetland Katydids 2010
Date, weather
6-17 PC 70
6-25 PC 75
Survey time
3:50-6:20
12:15-3:15
Common Names
Latin Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus brevipennis
Slender Meadow Katydid
Conocephalus fasciatus
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Conocephalus attenuatus
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum nigripes
Common Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum vulgare
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Orchelimum gladiator
Sword-bearing Conehead
Neoconocephalus ensiger
Round-tipped Conehead
Neoconocephalus retusus
Common True Katydid
Pterophylla camellifolia
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha rotundifolia
Oblong-winged Katydid
Amblycorypha oblongifolia
Greater Anglewing
Microcentrum rhombifolium
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Scudderia curvicauda
Texas Bush Katydid
Scudderia texensis
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Scudderia furcata
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Scudderia pistillata
Roesel's Katydid
Metrioptera roeselii
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M2&3
M1, several nymphs
Katydids 2010 p. 2
Date, weather
7-1 sun 70
7-3 sun 75
7-7 sun 88-76
7-10 sun 81-68
Survey time
4-6:30
1:15-6:30
6:40-9:00
6:00-9:00
M2&3, P
M3,P (many), Triangle 1-M3,a few at P
Common Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
Slender Meadow Katydid
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
Common Meadow Katydid
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
M3 (2) P (3)
imm femaleM2
Round-tipped Conehead
Common True Katydid
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
Oblong-winged Katydid
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Texas Bush Katydid
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
M3
M3,M4,PL
M1,2,3,4
Roesel's Katydid
Longwing M5
none observed
M1 (one heard)
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M1(1),2(8),3(4),P(1)
Katydids 2010 p. 3
Date, weather
7-11 PC 79-77
7-16 Sun 83-76
7-17 sn,wnd 88-85
7-21 PC brz 84-73
Survey time
5:30-8:00
6:00-8:10
3:45-7:25
6:40-10:10
M3(3)
were not singing anywhere M2-2,M3-1,M7-1,P4
Common Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
Slender Meadow Katydid
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
Common Meadow Katydid
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
P- a few
M2,3 many
Round-tipped Conehead
Common True Katydid
KW - one or two
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M2,3,KM,PL many
Oblong-winged Katydid
Driveway near road
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Texas Bush Katydid
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M1(2)M4(1)M6(1)M3(6)PL1 SM-1, M2-1,M3-2,M4-2,K? M4-1,M5-1,M8-1,PL-1 M1,2,3,P,PL,KM
Katydids 2010 p. 4
Date, weather
7-22 clds-lt rain 80-74 7-27 clear 78-67
8-1 PC 78-68
8-2 PC humid 79-74 8-10 79-69
Survey time
7:45-9:30 raining
7:15-10:05
7:55 - 11:00
7:30 - 10:15
8:15 -11:20
Common Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
M1 nymphs
Slender Meadow Katydid
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
K
Common Meadow Katydid
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
M6 at least 4, M8
P- a few
heard none
heard none
M2,3,4,5,8
M2,P,M45678
M3, Pond
M1235678P
KW,Cwoods
all wooded areas
all areas with trees
KW,ME,
M4,M6,M7
PL,
P,M1
Round-tipped Conehead
Common True Katydid
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M4(1),M5,M6,M8,road M5,M8
Oblong-winged Katydid
3 meadow entrance Kelso, Driveway
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
M8(1)
M1,2,4(two)), 8
M3,M4(2), M7
M3, K
K,M7,M3
Texas Bush Katydid
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
poss P, M3
M8,none heard 4,5,6
M4 (one) M8 3 or 4
M4(1),M3(1),M7
PL,M3(several)
M3
Katydids 2010 p. 5
Date, weather
8-12 clr-fog 75-70 8-16 sun 79-75
8-19 sun 85-82
8-20 PC 81-70
8-24 C 72-69
Survey time
8:40-11:20
3:00 - 7:15
3:00-6:00
8:00-11:10
3:30 - 7:30
FWM
Firebrk edges M7,M4
K
K - numerous
P
P,Calla,K
Common Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
Slender Meadow Katydid
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
K
K
Common Meadow Katydid
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
M1,2,3,P
all meadows,P
Common True Katydid
K
Cwoods,tree lines
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M2
M4
Oblong-winged Katydid
DW,P (several)
didn't hear them
Round-tipped Conehead
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
K,M3
Texas Bush Katydid
Poss at Pond
FWM
M2 (photo)
meadows
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M2,3
K, FWM, M1
K,M3, M7
M6,7
Katydids 2010 p. 6
Date, weather
8-25 PC 77-72
8-29 sun 88
8-30 75-dropping
8-31-10 S 88-69
9-1 S 87 - 72
Survey time
4:30 - 8:20
4:40 - 6:40
7:45 - 11:15
5:45-10:30
5:30 - 8:55
Common Names
usual, plus these notes
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
K
Slender Meadow Katydid
K
FWM
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
Common Meadow Katydid
K-many
M6
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
M1,2,3,6,7
M3,4
Round-tipped Conehead
M6,8
M3.4
Common True Katydid
Kwood,treelines
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M1,2,3
Oblong-winged Katydid
M7
Greater Anglewing
M1
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
K,M1,2,3,
Texas Bush Katydid
M2
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M2,4
PL
M4
Katydids 2010 p. 7
Date, weather
9-6 PS 78 - 64
9-7 PC-wind-thndr 88-84 9-13 S windy 76-67
9-18 Cldy,73-58
Survey time
4:15 - 8:10
4:25 until tstrms 5:25
2:45-4:00, 7:20-8:50 3:20 - 10:20
2:10 - 7:10
9-21 S,Brzy, 82-70
Common Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
FWM
Slender Meadow Katydid
FWM
K
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
K
K
Common Meadow Katydid
M2
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
M2,3,6
M4,7,8
Round-tipped Conehead
M3
M4
Common True Katydid
PL
M7 treeline
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M3
M4
M2, M3
Oblong-winged Katydid
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Texas Bush Katydid
FWM, M6,8
PL
M2, 4
M3
M4,7,8
M1
M2,3
none heard
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M4
Katydids 2010 p. 8
Date, weather
9-23 Sun, humid 82-68 9-29 Cloudy 64-60
10-1 Mstly cldy, brzy, 59-56
10-8 Sun,brzy,70-59
Survey time
5:00 - 10:15
2:00 - 6:00
3:10 - 6:30
2:30 - 6:30
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
FWM
Kelso lake edge tangle
Slender Meadow Katydid
FWM
Common Names
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
possible male at pond
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
K
Common Meadow Katydid
M2
K
K
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
all upper meadows
Round-tipped Conehead
M4
Common True Katydid
Treelines, but fewer
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M7 firebreak
Oblong-winged Katydid
K, M1
FWM
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
still in most meadows
Texas Bush Katydid
none heard
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M4
FWM
FWM
K
Katydids 2010 p. 9
Date, weather
10-9 Sunny 72 - 58
10-10 Sun, brzy, 77-64
Survey time
4:00 - 8:00
3:00 - 7:00
P
P
Common Names
Short-winged Meadow Katydid
Slender Meadow Katydid
Long-tailed Meadow Katydid?
Black-legged Meadow Katydid
Common Meadow Katydid
Gladiator Meadow Katydid
Sword-bearing Conehead
M6 one before dark
Round-tipped Conehead
Common True Katydid
M4
Rattler Round-winged Katydid
M8 one briefy sang
Oblong-winged Katydid
Greater Anglewing
Curve-tailed Bush Katydid
Texas Bush Katydid
M8 one briefly sang
Fork-tailed Bush Katydid
Broad-winged Bush Katydid
Roesel's Katydid
Mystery "Tapping Katydid"
M4