Protean Shieldback
Atlanticus testaceus
This record describes Atlanticus testaceus (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Forewings (tegmina) of male are about half (or greater) than length of the pronotum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Tettigoniinae
- Genus
- Atlanticus (Eastern Shieldbacks)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Midwestern and eastern United States from the Great Lakes and New York (including southern Ontario, Canada) southward into Kentucky and Virginia, apparently not or rarely found west of the Mississippi River. Southward and in Ozarks replaced by (or perhaps blends into?) A. pachymerus .
Seasonal Activity
Adults appear, often in abundance, in the later half of June and July, with some surviving until frost. Perhaps overwinters as nymphs, but this needs verification.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predator and scavenger of other insects, but will also feed on live vegitation
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: An older name, Atlanticus pachymerus , has long been confused with this insect, but refers to a more southern species that differs in having, longer more slender legs, has a differently shaped subgenital plate in the females, and shorter wings, in the males. The two species were considered different by Rehn & Hebard , and are separated as distinct on the Orthoptera Species File . They appear to be combined at Singing Insects of North America .
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Atlanticus testaceus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Orthoptera includes ~28,000 described species of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. Desert locusts can form swarms covering 460 square miles containing up to 80 million individuals per square kilometer.
Ecological role of the group
Grasshoppers and crickets are a primary food source for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Cricket farming is a growing industry - crickets require 12× less feed than cattle to produce the same amount of protein, using 2,000× less water.
Economic and practical significance of the group
A single large locust swarm can consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. The 2019-2021 East Africa locust crisis affected food security for 42 million people across multiple countries. Global crop losses from locusts can reach billions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, UN World Food Programme, research publications. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Protean Shieldback (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by cotinis , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Protean Shieldback
What is Protean Shieldback?
Protean Shieldback (Atlanticus testaceus) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How big is Protean Shieldback?
body length 18-25 mm, up to approximately 45 mm for female, including ovipositor
How do you identify Protean Shieldback?
Forewings (tegmina) of male are about half (or greater) than length of the pronotum.
Where is Protean Shieldback found?
Range: Midwestern and eastern United States from the Great Lakes and New York (including southern Ontario, Canada) southward into Kentucky and Virginia, apparently not or rarely found west of the Mississippi River. Southward and in Ozarks replaced by (or perhaps blends into?) A. pachymerus .
What does Protean Shieldback eat?
The diet of the Protean Shieldback includes Predator and scavenger of other insects, but will also feed on live vegitation.
When is Protean Shieldback active?
Protean Shieldback: seasonal activity - Adults appear, often in abundance, in the later half of June and July, with some surviving until frost. Perhaps overwinters as nymphs, but this needs verification..