Aglaothorax morsei
(Caudell, 1907)
Morse's shieldback
A shield-backed katydid to western North America, recognized by its flattened, shield-like pronotum that extends over the . The comprises six recognized distributed across coastal and insular of California and adjacent regions. First described by Caudell in 1907 from the Neduba, it was later transferred to Aglaothorax.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Aglaothorax morsei: /ˌæɡlioʊˈθɔraks ˈmɔrsi/
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Identification
The shield-backed —pronotum expanded dorsally and posteriorly to cover most or all of the —distinguishes this from typical katydids with narrow, saddle-shaped pronota. Among western North American shieldbacks, the six (costalis, curtatus, islandica, morsei, santacruzae, tectinota) are differentiated by body proportions, degree of wing reduction, and geographic origin.
Images
Habitat
Coastal and near-coastal environments of California and adjacent Arizona; insular occur on the Channel Islands ( islandica, santacruzae).
Distribution
United States: California (widespread), Arizona (limited records). show restricted distributions: islandica and santacruzae restricted to Channel Islands; costalis, curtatus, morsei, and tectinota on mainland.
Similar Taxa
- Other Aglaothorax speciesShare shield-backed pronotum ; distinguished by male genitalia, stridulatory file characteristics, and geographic range
- Neduba speciesFormerly classified in same ; separated by pronotal shape, wing venation, and male structure