The Sword-bearing Conehead is a large katydid with a pointed, cone-shaped projection on its head that is unique to this group. Its song is a loud, harsh, uninterrupted buzz, one of the loudest insect calls in North America. The extremely long ovipositor of females is where the 'sword' in the name comes from.
Best time to see a Sword-bearing Conehead
The best time to see a Sword-bearing Conehead is July–August, when about 73% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,008 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Sword-bearing Conehead? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Sword-bearing Conehead sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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