Arid-land

Guides

• Aeoloplides tenuipennis

  narrow-winged saltbush grasshopper, narrow-winged bush grasshopper

  A spur-throated grasshopper specialized on chenopod plants, particularly saltbushes (Atriplex species). It inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it feeds on plants often considered noxious weeds, including Russian thistle (Salsola tragus). The species is generally regarded as beneficial or innocuous in rangeland settings rather than a crop pest.

  grasshoppersaltbushchenopodrangelandbeneficial-insectarid-landMelanoplinaewestern-North-Americaspecialized-herbivoreArizonaUtahNevadaIdahoCaliforniaNew-Mexico

• Neobarrettia

  arid-land katydid, spiny predatory katydid

  Neobarrettia is a genus of nine North American predatory katydids distinguished by prominent spines and powerful mandibles adapted for carnivory. These insects inhabit arid and semi-arid regions from the southwestern United States through Mexico. They are known for aggressive threat displays and the ability to inflict painful bites when handled.

  predatoryspinycarnivorousarid-landdefensive-bitethreat-displayNorth-AmericaMexicoTerpandriniTettigoniidaeEnsiferaOrthoptera

• Neobarrettia victoriae

  lesser arid-land katydid

  Neobarrettia victoriae is a large, spiny predatory katydid known as the lesser arid-land katydid. It is one of two North American species in the genus Neobarrettia, both characterized by robust bodies, powerful mandibles, and spiny forelegs adapted for capturing prey. Unlike most katydids, this species is an obligate carnivore. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the south-central United States and Mexico.

  predatory-katydidarid-landcarnivorousthreat-displayspiny-forelegs