Steiroxys
Herman, 1874
shield-backed katydids
Steiroxys is a of in the , established by Herman in 1874. The genus includes at least four described distributed across western North America. Species in this genus are characterized by their distinctive shield-like that extends over the . The genus includes notable species such as the noisy shieldback (S. strepens) and the three-lined shieldback (S. trilineata).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Steiroxys: //stɛɪˈrɒksɪs//
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Identification
Steiroxys can be recognized by their shield-backed , where the is expanded and flattened to cover the and often part of the . This distinguishes them from other with more typical, narrower pronota. The specific epithets of described species suggest diagnostic features: S. trilineata bears three longitudinal , S. pallidipalpus has pale mouthparts, and S. strepens is notably vocal. Close examination of pronotal shape and male is required for species-level identification.
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Habitat
Western North grasslands, shrublands, and open woodland edges. occur in montane and subalpine zones as well as lower elevation dry .
Distribution
Western North America: recorded from British Columbia, California, Colorado, Montana, and Nevada. The appears to be centered in the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain West regions, with extensions into the Pacific states and southwestern Canada.
Behavior
S. strepens is known to be notably vocal, as indicated by its "noisy shieldback." Like other tettigoniids, in this likely produce sound via of the .
Similar Taxa
- Other Tettigoniidae generaSteiroxys is distinguished from most other by its shield-backed pronotal ; similar shield-backed forms occur in the related Tettigoniinae but differ in details of pronotal shape, geographic distribution, and genitalic structure.
More Details
Species diversity
Sources disagree on count: Wikipedia lists four described species, while iNaturalist reports about five. The discrepancy may reflect taxonomic revisions or undescribed species.
Nomenclatural note
Steiroxys pallidipalpus was originally described under the synonym S. pallidipennis, now considered invalid.