Phymonotus jacintotopos

The enlarged dome-like pronotum is the most immediately visible diagnostic feature, unlike the flatter pronota of relatives Agalothorax and Neduba. The red-and-black color pattern distinguishes it from all similar katydids in the region. Males produce a distinctive calling song. Genitalia examination reveals unique titillator structures: dorsal and ventral lobes and dorsal sclerites not found in related genera.

Medium-sized shield-backed katydid with an unusually enlarged, dome-like pronotum that extends over the thorax. Distinctive red-and-black coloration not found in similar katydids. Seven additional distinctive morphological features separate it from relatives, including specialized structures of the male genitalia: dorsal and ventral lobes of the titillators, and dorsal sclerites of the titillators.

Geographically isolated high-elevation conifer forests of the San Jacinto Mountains. Occupies montane forest environments above the elevational range of its nearest relatives.

Endemic to the San Jacinto Mountains of southern California, USA. Restricted to this isolated mountain range; no known populations elsewhere.

Males produce a distinctive calling song. Males have been observed to produce thoracic glandular secretions that may be offered to mating females, suggesting possible courtship feeding behavior.

• AgalothoraxOccurs in lower elevation environments throughout the surrounding region; lacks the enlarged dome-like pronotum and red-and-black coloration of Phymonotus.
• NedubaOccurs in lower elevation environments throughout the surrounding region; lacks the enlarged dome-like pronotum and red-and-black coloration of Phymonotus.

• endemic
• rare
• Pleistocene relic
• montane
• shield-backed katydid

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Phymonotus jacintotopos: A new genus and species of shield-backed katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae: Nedubini) from the San Jacinto Mountains of California, USA