Plagiostira
Scudder, 1876
shield-backed katydids
Species Guides
3- Plagiostira albonotata(white-marked shieldback)
- Plagiostira gillettei(Gillette's shieldback)
- Plagiostira mescaleroensis(Mescalero Shieldback)
Plagiostira is a North American of shield-backed katydids ( Tettigoniidae) containing at least three described . It is the sole genus in the tribe Plagiostirini, established by Storozhenko in 1994. The genus was erected by Scudder in 1876, with Plagiostira albonotata designated as the type species. Species in this genus are large, robust katydids associated with arid and semi-arid of the southwestern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Plagiostira: /ˌplaɡi.oʊˈstaɪrə/
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Identification
Members of Plagiostira can be recognized by their large size among katydids, robust body form, and brachypterous (short-winged) condition in . The wings overlap with costal margins oriented outward—this wing arrangement distinguishes adults from nymphs, where wings are on top with costal margins oriented inward. The is characterized by shield-like armor typical of the Tettigoniinae. Specific identification to requires examination of detailed morphological characters including coloration patterns; P. albonotata is distinguished by white markings, while P. mescaleroensis is associated with specific dune .
Habitat
in this inhabit arid and semi-arid environments of the southwestern United States, including sand dune systems, desert scrub, and grassland-edge . The type species P. albonotata and P. mescaleroensis have been documented in sandy dune habitats, particularly the Mescalero Sand Dunes of New Mexico. Vegetation in these habitats typically includes yucca, mesquite, and various desert shrubs.
Distribution
Documented from the southwestern United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Specific collection records include the Mescalero Sand Dunes in New Mexico and sand dune localities in west Texas.
Similar Taxa
- Tettigoniinae (other shield-backed katydids)Other in the Tettigoniinae share the shield-backed , but Plagiostira is distinguished by its large size, brachypterous condition, and specific wing overlap pattern in . The tribe Plagiostirini and its constituent are restricted to the arid Southwest, whereas many other Tettigoniinae occur in more mesic .
- Anabrus simplex (Mormon cricket)Another large, flightless tettigoniid of western North America, but A. simplex belongs to a different tribe (Anabrini), has different body proportions, and exhibits gregarious migratory not reported for Plagiostira.
More Details
Taxonomic history
The tribe Plagiostirini was established by Storozhenko in 1994 to accommodate this single , reflecting its distinct morphological position within the Tettigoniinae. The genus has been subject to differing counts in literature: Wikipedia cites 'at least four described species' while other sources list three confirmed species. The discrepancy may reflect taxonomic revisions or inclusion of undescribed or synonymized .
Conservation status
No in this have been formally assessed for conservation status. The restricted specificity of P. mescaleroensis to sand dune systems may warrant monitoring given ongoing habitat alteration in the southwestern United States.