Insara covilleae
Rehn & Hebard, 1914
Creosote Bush Katydid
Insara covilleae, commonly known as the creosote bush , is a phaneropterine katydid in the Tettigoniidae. The species was described by Rehn & Hebard in 1914 and is found in North America, with confirmed records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. The reflects its association with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), which serves as a primary plant. The species is part of the Insara, which contains several bush katydid species found in arid and semi-arid regions.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Insara covilleae: //ɪnˈsɑːrə koʊˈvɪli.iː//
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Habitat
Arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, specifically associated with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) scrub . The inhabits desert and desert-edge environments where its plant occurs.
Distribution
Southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico) and northeastern Mexico. GBIF records confirm occurrence in these regions.
Diet
Herbivorous, feeding on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and potentially other desert shrubs.
Host Associations
- Larrea tridentata - primary plantcreosote bush
Ecological Role
Herbivore in desert scrub ; serves as prey for various including sphecid such as Sphex lucae.
Similar Taxa
- Insara elegansBoth are bush katydids in the Insara found in southwestern North America; I. elegans is known as the elegant bush and has been documented as prey for Sphex lucae
- Insara aurantiumAnother congeneric in the Insara with overlapping geographic range
- Other Phaneropterinae contains many bush with similar general , requiring careful examination for proper identification