Widespread, plentiful, and in some cases really loud, Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids) get surprisingly little attention from naturalists. But these insects are everywhere, if often extremely well camouflaged, and anyone can learn to find them and ID them by sight or sound. In this webinar, Matt Pelikan will introduce the basics of Orthoptera biology and ecology, discuss their diversity in eastern Massachusetts, and present a range of tips and tricks for finding and recognizing these interesting insects.
The Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Atlas of Life project at BiodiversityWorks in Vineyard Haven, Matt is a lifelong naturalist who has conducted a decade-long survey of the Orthoptera of Martha’s Vineyard, documenting more than 50 species on the island. Matt’s other interests include bees (his current obsession), butterflies (he compiled and maintains a detailed checklist for the Vineyard) and birds (he’s a former editor of the Massachusetts journal Bird Observer). A Lexington native, he has lived on Martha’s Vineyard since 1997. You can learn more about the Martha’s Vineyard Atlas of Life at its website, mval.biodiversityworksmv.org.
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