Shieldback
Guides
Aglaothorax longipennis
Santa Monica shieldback katydid, Santa Monica Mountains Shieldback
Aglaothorax longipennis is a shieldback katydid endemic to the United States, specifically known from the Santa Monica Mountains region of California. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae, which includes katydids, crickets, and bush-crickets. The species was originally described as Neduba longipennis before being transferred to the genus Aglaothorax. It has been studied at Topanga State Park, indicating a restricted range within coastal southern California.
Ateloplus hesperus
Western Shieldback
Ateloplus hesperus, commonly known as the Western Shieldback, is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. First described by Hebard in 1934, this insect is native to western North America, with confirmed distribution records from California. It belongs to the shieldback katydids, a group characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology. The species is part of the diverse Orthoptera fauna of the western United States, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Atlanticus
Eastern Shieldbacks
Atlanticus is a genus of katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as eastern shieldbacks. The genus comprises at least 50 described species distributed discontinuously across North America and temperate eastern Asia. These insects belong to the tribe Drymadusini within the subfamily Tettigoniinae. Species in this genus are predatory, possessing enlarged mandibles adapted for capturing and consuming other insects.
Clinopleura minuta
Minute Shieldback
Clinopleura minuta is a small katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae, commonly known as the Minute Shieldback. First described by Caudell in 1907, this species is endemic to California and represents one of the few documented species in the genus Clinopleura. As a shieldback katydid, it belongs to a group characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology.
Eremopedes ephippiatus
Saddled Shieldback
Eremopedes ephippiatus, commonly known as the Saddled Shieldback, is a katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species was originally described by Scudder in 1899 under the name Cacopteris ephippiata. It belongs to the tribe Platycleidini, a group of shieldback katydids characterized by their flattened, shield-like pronotum.
Eremopedes kelsoensis
Kelso Shieldback
Eremopedes kelsoensis, known as the Kelso Shieldback, is a shield-backed katydid described by Tinkham in 1972. It belongs to the family Tettigoniidae, which includes katydids and bush crickets. The species is found in California, North America. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Idionotus
shield-backed katydids
Idionotus is a genus of shield-backed katydids in the family Tettigoniidae, containing seven described species. These insects are endemic to western North America, with records from California and Oregon. The genus was established by Scudder in 1894 and includes species such as the siskiyou shieldback (I. siskiyou) and tehachapi shieldback (I. tehachapi).
Idionotus tehachapi
Tehachapi Shieldback, tehachapi shielback
Idionotus tehachapi, the Tehachapi Shieldback, is a shield-backed katydid species in the family Tettigoniidae. It was described by Hebard in 1934. The species is known from a small number of observations and limited geographic records, primarily from California. As a member of the genus Idionotus, it belongs to a group of katydids characterized by their distinctive shield-like pronotum.
Idiostatus aberrans
Aberrant Shieldback
Idiostatus aberrans is a species of katydid in the family Tettigoniidae, described by David C. F. Rentz in 1973. It belongs to the shieldback katydid group, characterized by a flattened, shield-like pronotum that extends backward over the abdomen. The species occurs in California and is one of several Idiostatus species endemic to western North America. Based on iNaturalist records, it has been observed at least 61 times, indicating it is documented but not extensively studied.
Idiostatus wymorei
Wymore's Shieldback
Idiostatus wymorei is a shieldback katydid described by Caudell in 1934. It belongs to the genus Idiostatus, a group of flightless katydids characterized by reduced wing pads and shield-like pronota. The species is known from California and is among the least documented members of its genus, with very few observations recorded.
Pediodectes daedalus
Pediodectes daedalus is a species of shieldback katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. The genus Pediodectes comprises wingless or short-winged katydids distributed across the Great Plains of North America. Adults of this genus are typically found in prairie and grassland habitats, often associated with herbaceous vegetation. Species in Pediodectes are known for their cryptic coloration, though some individuals may exhibit more contrasting markings. The genus is taxonomically challenging, with species identification often requiring examination of morphological details beyond external coloration.
Pediodectes haldemanii
Haldeman's shieldback, American shield-back katydid
Pediodectes haldemanii is a large, flightless shield-backed katydid native to the Great Plains of North America. Adults lack the leaf-like wings typical of many katydids and exhibit striking dark red markings against a green body. The species is known for its relatively docile behavior and has been observed feeding on cactus flowers.
Pediodectes nigromarginatus
Black-margined Shieldback
Pediodectes nigromarginatus, commonly known as the black-margined shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is found in central North America, with records from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and northeastern Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of wingless or short-winged katydids adapted to grassland and prairie habitats. Two subspecies are recognized: P. n. nigromarginatus and P. n. griseis.
Pediodectes stevensonii
Stevenson's shieldback
Pediodectes stevensonii, known as Stevenson's shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It belongs to the genus Pediodectes, which comprises flightless katydids distributed across the Great Plains of North America. The species is characterized by its wingless condition and distinctive coloration patterns that differ from the more cryptic green typical of many katydids.
Phymonotus
Phymonotus is a monotypic genus of shield-backed katydid erected in 2011, containing the single species P. jacintotopos. The genus is distinguished by an unusually enlarged dome-like pronotum, a distinctive calling song, and seven additional morphological features. It is considered a Pleistocene relic taxon endemic to high-elevation conifer forests of the San Jacinto Mountains in southern California.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
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