Atlanticus testaceus

(Scudder, 1901)

protean shieldback, short-legged shield-bearer

Atlanticus testaceus, commonly called the protean shieldback or short-legged shield-bearer, is a shield-backed katydid native to eastern North America. The exhibits pronounced in diet: females are primarily while adult males consume mostly dried leaves and sand. Both sexes are known to engage in . Activity is concentrated in the evening hours, with males stridulating intensively from elevated vegetation while females search for mates and prey.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atlanticus testaceus: //ætˈlæntɪkəs tɛˈsteɪsiəs//

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Identification

Males can be distinguished by tegmina approximately half the length of the pronotum. The possesses large, heavily sclerotized with sharp, well-defined dentes and incisors. A prominent coxal spine is present. Live individuals are typically green but fade to yellow-brown after death or preservation.

Habitat

Occurs in field and woodland , including Jack Pine forests in northern Michigan. Found in leaf litter and ground vegetation.

Distribution

Eastern North America from the Great Lakes, New York, and southern Ontario southward to Kentucky and Virginia. Replaced by Atlanticus pachymerus further south.

Seasonality

Active primarily in summer; evening activity peaks with intensive stridulation, descending from vegetation between 2–4 AM.

Diet

Sexually dimorphic: young nymphs feed mostly on green plant tissues; females are mostly ; adult males eat mostly dried leaves and sand. Adults have been observed feeding on seeds of Melampyrum lineare (Scrophulariaceae) and engage in .

Host Associations

Melampyrum lineare Desr. - food sourceseeds consumed by

Behavior

Primarily and . Daytime hours are spent hiding under dried leaves. Evening activity involves climbing vegetation, with males stridulating intensively and females moving between plants seeking mates and prey. Descends from vegetation in early morning hours (2–4 AM).

Similar Taxa

Atlanticus pachymerusReplaces A. testaceus geographically in the southern portion of the range; distinguished by distribution rather than in available sources.
Neobarrettia spinosaBoth possess large predatory and tendencies, but N. spinosa is a bush with different body proportions and preferences.