Remember the Coneheads?

A slightly musical conehead.
Photo: © Tyler Christensen.

Does anyone remember the slightly musical coneheads? I know what you're thinking. Yes! Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin were hilarious in those SNL sketches!

That's true, they were, but that's not actually what I mean. The slightly musical conehead is a katydid, a member of the order Orthoptera. World-renowned for their songs, katydids spend warm summer nights in meadows and fields, calling for their lovers.

Taken out of context (context being this site or a good insect field guide), the phrase "slightly musical conehead" seems peculiar. Insect names can be rather humorous, leading me to believe that the entomology community is filled with comedians. How about the horrid zale (a moth) or the death-watch beetle? Read more weird insect names, and add any you know to our discussion on the forum.

Learn more:

• Can Insects Hear?
• Characteristics of Katydids and Other Othoptera