Scudderia

Stål, 1873

Scudder's Bush Katydids, bush katydids

Species Guides

8

Scudderia is a of bush katydids in the Phaneropterinae, established by Stål in 1873. in this genus are medium-sized insects, 30–40 mm in length, with a transcontinental distribution across North America. They are herbivorous, feeding on flowers as nymphs and woody deciduous plants as . Several species are economically significant as pests in citrus orchards and stone fruit production, particularly Scudderia furcata, the fork-tailed bush . Males produce species-specific calling songs using file-and-scraper structures on their forewings, and species identification typically requires examination of the male supra-anal plate .

Scudderia furcata by (c) David Hill, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Scudderia cuneata by (c) Bob Peterson, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Scudderia cuneata by (c) Leila Dasher, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Leila Dasher. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scudderia: //skʌˈdeɪ.ri.ə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

-level identification requires examination of male supra-anal plate ( process) ; the fork-tailed bush (S. furcata) has a distinctive fork-like or tuning-fork-shaped process. Live specimens in the field are generally unidentifiable to species due to folded wings conceising diagnostic characters. Eight species recognized in the United States and southern Canada, with S. furcata being the most widespread and transcontinental. S. pistillata (broadwinged bush katydid) identifiable by its unique counting call with syllables added progressively to each phrase.

Images

Appearance

Medium-sized katydids, 30–40 mm in length from to wing tips. Body typically green during summer, with late-season individuals developing brown, reddish, or pinkish coloration. Wings folded roof-like over , usually concealing diagnostic features. Hind legs enlarged for jumping. Females possess a curved, knife-like ovipositor for inserting between leaf layers. Nymphs develop wing pads progressively through six instars.

Habitat

Deciduous forests, shrublands, grasslands, and xeric glades. Some occur in more lush portions of desert areas in southern California and southward. Found in both woodland edges and open with sufficient shrub cover. In agricultural settings, present in citrus groves and stone fruit orchards.

Distribution

Transcontinental in North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States to Mexico and parts of Central and South America (Brazil, Peru, Suriname). Western documented in Oregon, Washington, and southern British Columbia. Eastern extend through the Great Plains and eastern deciduous forest regions.

Seasonality

active primarily from mid-summer through autumn. Nymphs emerge in spring and develop through six instars before reaching adulthood. Late-season adults may be found into November in temperate regions. Activity predominantly ; attracted to outdoor lights.

Diet

Herbivorous. Nymphs feed primarily on flowers. prefer woody deciduous plants. In orchard settings, feed on developing fruit, causing scarring damage that can render citrus and stone fruit unmarketable.

Life Cycle

laid by females using ovipositor inserted between leaf layers, creating kidney bean-shaped bulges; up to 175 eggs laid in small quantities at multiple locations. Eggs overwinter and hatch in spring. Nymphs pass through six instars, gradually developing wing pads and reproductive organs. present in late summer and autumn. In at least S. furcata, males transfer protein-rich to females during copulation.

Behavior

Males produce -specific calling songs by rubbing file-and-scraper structures on forewings; song typically a short, intermittent rasp: s-s-s-s-s-S-S-S-T. Discontinuous song structure may reduce risk by preventing sound localization. Both sexes fly well. activity pattern. Males and females engage in soft '' communication when in close proximity. S. pistillata males produce a stereotyped counting call with syllables added progressively to successive phrases, correlated with nutritional condition.

Ecological Role

Herbivore in deciduous forest and shrubland . Prey for various including the Great Golden Digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus), which paralyzes katydids to provision nests. Contributes to nutrient cycling through herbivory and as prey for higher .

Human Relevance

Several are agricultural pests in California citrus groves and stone fruit orchards, particularly S. furcata. Fork-tailed bush feeding on young fruit causes scarring damage that renders fruit unmarketable for fresh consumption. Research indicates that damage levels vary significantly between citrus species, with some mandarin varieties showing apparent resistance. guidelines originally developed for navel oranges may not be optimal for mandarin production due to differential pest damage patterns.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Phaneropterinae genera (e.g., Amblycorypha, Orchelimum)Similar general appearance as green bush katydids; distinguished by male genitalic and song characteristics
  • Neoconocephalus (coneheads)Larger size, different shape with extended cone; also preyed upon by Sphex ichneumoneus but morphologically distinct

More Details

Acoustic communication

S. pistillata known as the counting due to stereotyped addition of syllables to successive phrases in male calling bouts; first seven phrases typically show progressive increase by one syllable each. This pattern is -specific but shows individual variation in total syllables and phrases correlated with male nutritional condition (residual weight).

Research significance

Subject of ecoinformatics research using data mining of commercial pest management records combined with field experiments to understand pest complexes in California citrus. Studies by Bodil Cass (UC Davis) have revealed unexpectedly low damage levels in certain mandarin varieties despite presence, prompting investigation of potential resistance mechanisms.

Predator-prey interactions

Documented prey of Sphex ichneumoneus (Great Golden Digger wasp), which exhibits stereotyped nesting : paralyzing , dropping at nest entrance, inspecting burrow, then dragging prey -first into . This behavior has been extensively studied in ethological research on fixed action patterns.

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Sources and further reading