The Phaneropterinae, the sickle-bearing bush crickets or leaf katydids, are a subfamily of insects within the family Tettigoniidae. They may also be known as "false katydids" (to distinguish them from the "true katydids") or "round-headed katydids".
The name Phaneropterinae is based upon the Old World genus Phaneroptera (type species P. falcata), meaning "visible wing"; this refers to the exposed tips of the inner wings seen in many species, although some genera, notably in the tribes Barbitistini and Odonturini have become brachypterous.
Description
Adult Phaneropterinae species with eggs
Eggs of Microcentrum.
The legs of individuals in this subfamily vary from genus to genus, but, as in nearly all Orthoptera, the posterior (rear) legs are adapted to leaping, and as such are always much longer than other legs. Phaneropterinae are generally well-camouflaged with green and brown colors being most prevalent, but there are exceptions including certain Aganacris and Scaphura that are Batesian mimics of wasps.
The Phaneropterinae are largely arboreal in habitat. The vast majority of species live in shrubs and trees, feeding on leaves and twigs. Some species might potentially cause significant damage, though usually superficial, when present in large numbers, but this is rare; they usually are solitary, unlike meadow grasshoppers, so much so that they seldom come to human notice.
The ovipositor and male genitalia vary according to the genus. The Phaneropterinae differ from other subfamilies of Tettigoniidae (and other Orthoptera) in their oviposition; their eggs are rarely deposited in the earth, but are either glued in double rows to twigs, or are inserted in the edges of leaves.
Nomenclature
The subfamily Phaneropterinae was first erected in 1838 by German zoologist Hermann Burmeister as "Phaneropteridae"; long treated as a synonym, the Orthoptera Species File (OSF) now places Phaneropteridae as a supersubfamily, together with the similar subfamilies: Mecopodinae,...
