Variegated Shield-back
Idiostatus variegatus
This record describes Idiostatus variegatus (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinctive cream or yellowish and darker brown pattern. Female ovipositor much shorter than hind femur, dark in color.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Tettigoniinae
- Genus
- Idiostatus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Apparently mostly in Sagebrush scrub areas.
Geographic Range
northern Great Basin, Snake River Plains, Wyming Basin, Uintah Basin in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Idiostatus variegatus. 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 Variegated Shield-back (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Variegated Shield-back
What is Variegated Shield-back?
Variegated Shield-back (Idiostatus variegatus) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Variegated Shield-back?
Distinctive cream or yellowish and darker brown pattern. Female ovipositor much shorter than hind femur, dark in color.
Where is Variegated Shield-back found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Apparently mostly in Sagebrush scrub areas. |
| Range | northern Great Basin, Snake River Plains, Wyming Basin, Uintah Basin in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. |