Haldeman's Shieldback
Pediodectes haldemanii
This record describes Pediodectes haldemanii (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Fairly large Shieldback, and very stocky. Looks rather even and smooth in coloring, and is usually green (sometimes brownish). Top of pronotum usually dark toward the rear, especially at the corners. Pronotum bordered pale with the rear margin edged very dark near black. Type locality: Barber County, Kansas
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
Habitat
Mostly found in grassland areas.
Geographic Range
Great Plains: NM-LA-SD / Mex. - Map - SINA, Map - GBIF
Seasonal Activity
overwinters as eggs; adults from late spring to frost
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Omnivorous, will eat plants, carrion, and will catch and eat smaller animals. Often come to lights at night to hunt.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Pediodectes haldemanii. 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 Haldeman's Shieldback (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , David Ferguson , Wisconsin Oecanthinancy
Frequently Asked Questions About Haldeman's Shieldback
What is Haldeman's Shieldback?
Haldeman's Shieldback (Pediodectes haldemanii) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
How do you identify Haldeman's Shieldback?
Fairly large Shieldback, and very stocky. Looks rather even and smooth in coloring, and is usually green (sometimes brownish). Top of pronotum usually dark toward the rear, especially at the corners. Pronotum bordered pale with the rear margin edged very dark near black.
Where is Haldeman's Shieldback found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly found in grassland areas. |
| Range | Great Plains: NM-LA-SD / Mex. - Map - SINA, Map - GBIF |
What does Haldeman's Shieldback eat?
The diet of the Haldeman's Shieldback includes Omnivorous, will eat plants, carrion, and will catch and eat smaller animals. Often come to lights at night to hunt..
When is Haldeman's Shieldback active?
Haldeman's Shieldback: seasonal activity - overwinters as eggs; adults from late spring to frost.