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Short-winged Cone-head, Conocephalus dorsalis

Identification

Body length, 10mm to 20mm (+) <10mm ovipositor. This species has reduced wings that fall well short of the tip of the abdomen.

The body is a uniform grass green with a dark brown stripe running down the back from the top of the head to the tip of the abdomen, edged white on the thorax. In immature specimens this stripe is black. The underside of the abdomen is yellow-brown. A brown form of this cone-head does occur but has not been reported from Plymouth. The wings are pigmented pale brown and fall short of the tip of the abdomen. The brown female ovipositor is distinctly curved upwards. Nymphs are green with a yellowish-margined black stripe running the length of the body from the head to the tip of the tail. A fully winged form is known but, once again, not from Plymouth.

Behaviour and life history

The Short-winged Cone-head is an active species spending much of its time sunning itself in short saltmarsh vegetation. On being disturbed, it will extend itself along the back of a leaf or stem on the far side to the perceived danger so that it becomes very difficult to see and, if this is unsuccessful, it will dive deep into vegetation to try to escape. This species is largely vegetarian but will eat other small invertebrates. Eggs are laid into the leaves and stems of rushes, sedges and grasses where they overwinter before appearing in May and June the following year. Adults emerge in mid July or August.

Song

A soft, continuous, high-pitched buzz that only carries for about 3 m.

Where to look for it

In Plymouth it is restricted to upper saltmarshes, brackish estuaries and vegetation but in one location it also occurs in mineral-rich freshwater in an abandoned quarry.

Distribution and status

There are few suitable sites left in Plymouth but within these it is locally frequent. Good sites include Tamerton Creek, Kinterbury Creek and Crabtree.

When to look for it

Nymphs between May and July, adults from July to mid October.

Similar species

The intermediate length of the wings in this species combined with its favoured saltmarsh habitat should make it unlikely to be mistaken for any other species.

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