Scudderia texensis

Saussure & Pictet, 1897

Texas bush katydid

Scudderia texensis, the Texas bush , is a -sized katydid in the . range from 40–56 mm in length, with geographic variation in size correlated with number and growing season length. The species exhibits (two-generation) in the southern portion of its range and (single-generation) reproduction in the north. It is the most abundant Scudderia species throughout most of its range.

Scudderia texensis by Chelse Prather. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Scudderia texensis: /skʌˈdɛriə tɛkˈsɛnsɪs/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Scudderia by male : the supra- has a ending in paired curved indentations with a small central , and the sub-genital plate has an upcurved process meeting this dorsal extension. Females identified by the right-angled . Size varies geographically (44–52 mm average), which can aid in regional identification.

Images

Appearance

measure 40–56 mm in body length. Females possess an with a distinctive right angle between the and portions. Males have a sub-genital plate with an upcurved that meets a extension of the supra-; the dorsal process terminates in a pair of curved indentations defining a small central . Coloration is typically green.

Habitat

Inhabits grasslands, deciduous forests, and shrublands. Particularly abundant in weedy old fields and roadsides. Found in early successional and open within forested regions.

Distribution

Eastern United States and adjacent Canada, extending west to the western edge of the Great Plains. Documented from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, and throughout the eastern temperate region.

Seasonality

most numerous from late spring or summer into autumn, often persisting until first hard freezes. In the southern range (Florida to North Carolina), two occur: first matures late spring, second matures early fall. In northern range, single generation matures late summer.

Life Cycle

in southern portion of range (two annually): first generation matures late spring, second generation matures early fall. in northern portion: single generation matures late summer. size correlates with maturation speed required to maximize generation number within the growing season. Nymphal development through six inferred from congeneric S. furcata.

Behavior

activity pattern inferred from characteristics. Males produce acoustic signals; song structure not specifically documented for this .

Ecological Role

in grassland and forest edge . for predatory including Sphex ichneumoneus (Great Golden Digger Wasp), which hunts Scudderia to provision nests.

Human Relevance

No documented direct economic impact. Distinguished from S. furcata, which is a documented pest in California citrus orchards causing fruit scarring.

Similar Taxa

Scudderia furcataOverlapping range and similar use; distinguished by male supra- (fork-like in S. furcata versus paired indentations with central in S. texensis). S. furcata is a known citrus pest; S. texensis has no documented agricultural pest status.
Other Scudderia species contains eight recognized in North America; reliable differentiation requires examination of male supra- and sub-genital plate structures.

More Details

Geographic size variation

size correlates with latitude and number. In two-generation southern (Florida to North Carolina), average size is 44 mm. At the southern extreme of one-generation range (Virginia), average size is 52 mm. In northern extreme (Michigan), average size is approximately 44 mm. This variation reflects adaptive response to growing season length and generation time constraints.

Abundance

Of all Scudderia , S. texensis is the most abundant through the majority of its range.