Plants and Animals
Orchelimum delicatum Delicate meadow katydid
Key Characteristics
The delicate meadow katydid is a relatively small meadow katydid (16 mm long or less) with a dull green face and an ovipositor that is two-thirds the length of the hind femur. All species in the genus have tegmina (leathery front wings) that extend beyond the abdomen.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: GNR - Not ranked
State Rank: S1S3
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
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Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
The delicate meadow katydid inhabits wet meadows, lakeplain wet prairies, and damp low areas adjacent to sand dunes and beaches. It is often associated with bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis).
Natural Community Types
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
Maintain and restore suitable moist, open lakeplain prairies and wet meadows. Avoid dredging, filling, or other hydrologic alterations. Leave suitable inland buffers along lakeplain prairies as suitable habitat zones will shift as Great Lakes water levels periodically fluctuate. Fire management may be an appropriate habitat management tool but care should be taken to not burn all of suitable habitat at once. Remove invasive plants that could alter habitat quality such as giant reed (Phragmites australis) or narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia).
Active Period
Active from fourth week of July to fourth week of September
Survey Methods
Conduct sweep net surveys in appropriate habitat.
Sweep net
Survey Period: From fourth week of July to fourth week of September
References
Survey References
- Borror, D.J. and R.E. White. 1970. A Field Guide to the Insects of North America and Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 404pp.
- Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada (Part 1): Collecting, preparing, and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. Publication 1643. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa.
Technical References
- Bland, R.G. 2003. The Orthoptera of Michigan: Biology, Keys, and Descriptions of Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets. Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing. Extension Bulletin E-2815. 220pp.