Plagiostira gillettei
Caudell, 1907
Gillette's shieldback
Plagiostira gillettei is a in the , first described by Caudell in 1907. The occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, with records from California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. One , P. g. utahensis, is to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Kane County, Utah. The honors an individual named Gillette, likely the or an entomological colleague.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Plagiostira gillettei: /ˌplædʒiˈɒstaɪrə ɡɪˈlɛti/
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Identification
As a member of the Tettigoniinae (), P. gillettei possesses the characteristic greatly enlarged, shield-like that extends backward over the . The P. g. utahensis can be distinguished from the nominate subspecies by its restricted distribution in the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Field photographs suggest are large-bodied with (short-winged) condition; in such individuals, the are positioned on top with oriented outward (versus , where wings are on top with costal margins oriented inward).
Habitat
Associated with sand dune and adjacent arid scrub. The nominate occurs in sandy across the Intermountain West. The subspecies P. g. utahensis is restricted to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in Utah, where it inhabits active dune systems with characteristic psammophytic vegetation.
Distribution
Western United States: California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah. The P. g. utahensis is to Kane County, Utah.
Seasonality
have been observed in June, based on field records from New Mexico and Texas sand dune localities. Activity likely coincides with summer monsoon rains and associated vegetation growth in arid .
Behavior
Has been observed on yucca flower stalks and in vegetation of sand dune . Like other tettigoniids, likely or in activity pattern. The condition of suggests limited capability by .
Similar Taxa
- Other Plagiostira speciesCongeneric share the shield-backed and occur in similar western North arid ; identification to species level requires examination of genitalic structures and detailed pronotal morphology.
- Other Tettigoniinae (shield-backed katydids)Members of this share the enlarged ; Plagiostira is distinguished by tribal characters of Plagiostirini including features of the male and structure.
More Details
Subspecies
Two are recognized: Plagiostira gillettei gillettei Caudell, 1907 (nominate subspecies) and Plagiostira gillettei utahensis Tinkham, 1962, the latter known as the Coral Pink Sand Dunes Shieldback and to that specific dune system in Utah.
Etymology
The specific epithet 'gillettei' and 'Gillette's shieldback' honor an individual named Gillette, presumably a or colleague in early 20th century .