Microcentrum californicum
Hebard, 1932
California Angle-winged Katydid, California Anglewing
Microcentrum californicum, the California Angle-winged , is the smallest member of its , with measuring 41-52 millimeters. Males possess a brown stridulation area on the shoulders, similar to the Lesser Angle-wing Katydid, but the ' geographic range prevents confusion. It is and attracted to lights.


Pronunciation
How to pronounce Microcentrum californicum: /ˌmaɪkroʊˈsɛntrəm ˌkælɪˈfɔrnɪkəm/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
The California Angle-winged is distinguished from by its small size (41-52 mm, smallest in ) and geographic range. Males have a brown stridulation area (shoulders) unlike the green-shouldered Greater Angle-wing. It can be separated from the Lesser Angle-wing (M. retinerve) by range alone, as the two do not overlap.
Images
Distribution
Found in Arizona and the length of California west of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Seasonality
active from late summer into early fall; specimens have been collected in early September.
Behavior
; are attracted to blacklights.
Similar Taxa
- Microcentrum rhombifoliumGreater Angle-wing Katydid is larger (52-63 mm) with green male shoulders; ranges overlap but M. californicum is smaller
- Microcentrum retinerveLesser Angle-wing has brown male shoulders like M. californicum, but occurs east of the Rockies with no range overlap
- Microcentrum louisianumLouisiana Angle-wing occurs from Louisiana north to Missouri
- Microcentrum minusTexas Angle-wing restricted to extreme south Texas
- Microcentrum latifronsSouthwestern Angle-wing recorded from Big Bend, Texas and southeast Arizona
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
- Bug Eric: March 2013
- Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Great Black Wasp
- Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Blue Mud Dauber, Chalybion californicum
- Tents in the Mojave: Western tent caterpillar, Malacosoma californicum — Bug of the Week
- Bug Eric: OrThoptera Thursday: Lesser Angle-wing Katydid
- Bug Eric: Wasp Wednesday: Trypoxylon