Neduba carinata

Walker, 1869

shield-backed katydid

Neduba carinata is a shield-backed to Fremont Peak in San Benito County, California. Formerly applied broadly to katydids across the western United States, this name now applies only to a restricted following elevation of most to full status. It is distinguished from the similar N. diabloica by a pronotum that is slightly longer and narrower.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neduba carinata: //ˈnɛdjuːbə kæreɪˈneɪtə//

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

Identification

Distinguished from the similar Neduba diabloica by its slightly longer and narrower pronotum. The restricted geographic range (Fremont Peak only) provides additional diagnostic context. Formerly confused with broader western U.S. now assigned to other elevated .

Appearance

Shield-backed with a pronotum (the plate covering the ) that is slightly longer and narrower than that of the similar N. diabloica. The pronotum extends backward over the , giving the 'shield-backed' appearance characteristic of the . Detailed descriptions of coloration, body size, and other morphological features are not available in the source material.

Habitat

Restricted to Fremont Peak in San Benito County, California. Specific microhabitat preferences are not documented.

Distribution

to Fremont Peak, San Benito County, California, USA. No other confirmed localities.

Similar Taxa

Neduba diabloicaSimilar in overall ; distinguished by N. carinata having a slightly longer and narrower pronotum
Other elevated former subspecies of N. carinataFormerly included under N. carinata but now recognized as distinct ; these occur across broader portions of the western United States outside the restricted range of true N. carinata

Misconceptions

The name N. carinata has often been misapplied to katydids across a broad portion of the western United States. Most of these represent distinct elevated from former , and true N. carinata applies only to the Fremont Peak population.

More Details

Taxonomic history

This has undergone significant taxonomic revision. Most formerly included under N. carinata have been elevated to species level, restricting the current concept of N. carinata to the single Fremont Peak .