Tettigoniinae

Krauss, 1902

Shield-backed katydids, Shield-backed bush crickets

Genus Guides

23

A of katydids (Tettigoniidae) comprising hundreds of across approximately twelve tribes. Members are characterized by an enlarged, shield-like pronotum that covers much of the . The subfamily exhibits a disjunct Gondwanan distribution pattern, with major faunas in the Americas, Australia, southern Africa, and the Palaearctic region. North American representatives include both ancient Gondwanan lineages (Nedubini) and more recently diversified northern groups.

Peranabrus scabricollis by (c) Tristan A. McKnight, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tristan A. McKnight. Used under a CC-BY license.Tettigoniinae by (c) Roman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roman. Used under a CC-BY license.Anabrus cerciata by (c) Gabbie Byers, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gabbie Byers. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tettigoniinae: //ˌtɛtɪˈɡoʊniɪni//

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Identification

Distinguished from other by the enlarged, shield-like pronotum that extends posteriorly over the . are long and filamentous, typical of Ensifera. Body form varies from robust to somewhat flattened. Coloration often brown or dark rather than green, though green coloration in life may fade to yellowish tones in preserved specimens. Some possess prominent spines on the or pronotum.

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Habitat

Grassland, mixed heath, and Mediterranean-type shrublands; absent from tropical rainforests. In western North America, extensive formed during the Miocene epoch with the development of Mediterranean climates and rain shadow deserts.

Distribution

Disjunct distribution across the Americas (where often called shield-backed katydids), Australia, southern Africa, Europe (especially Mediterranean), and the Near East. Greatest diversity in the Palaearctic region. North American fauna comprises two distinct evolutionary groups: Nedubini (ancient Gondwanan origin) and other groups of northern continental origin.

Human Relevance

The Mormon cricket (Anabrus simplex), a member of this , has been known to cause extensive agricultural damage when breed in large numbers in cropland.

Similar Taxa

  • ListroscelidinaeBoth are with some predatory members; distinguished by different pronotal structure and
  • PhaneropterinaeAnother large ; lacks the shield-like pronotum characteristic of Tettigoniinae and typically has more slender body forms

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Sources and further reading