Bruner Shieldback
Pediodectes bruneri
This record describes Pediodectes bruneri (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to P. tinkhami , but with rear of sides of face (in adults) pale, and white band across face expanded to a broader triangle. Rear of pronotum usually more prominently black. Occurs further to the east.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids)
- Suborder
- Ensifera
- Family
- Tettigoniidae (Katydids)
- Subfamily
- Tettigoniinae
- Genus
- Pediodectes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Central & West Texas, se. New Mexico, south into Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous, eating dead organic, plant, and animal matter.
Life History
Overwinters as eggs, nymphs mostly in summer, and adults mostly in late summer and autumn.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Pediodectes bruneri. 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 Bruner Shieldback (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Bruner Shieldback
What is Bruner Shieldback?
Bruner Shieldback (Pediodectes bruneri) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Bruner Shieldback?
Very similar to P. tinkhami , but with rear of sides of face (in adults) pale, and white band across face expanded to a broader triangle. Rear of pronotum usually more prominently black. Occurs further to the east.
Where is Bruner Shieldback found?
Range: Central & West Texas, se. New Mexico, south into Mexico
What does Bruner Shieldback eat?
The diet of the Bruner Shieldback includes Omnivorous, eating dead organic, plant, and animal matter..
What is the life cycle of a Bruner Shieldback?
Overwinters as eggs, nymphs mostly in summer, and adults mostly in late summer and autumn.