Stevenson's Shieldback
Pediodectes stevensonii
This record describes Pediodectes stevensonii (species). Recorded family: Tettigoniidae. Recorded order: Orthoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Type locality: Colorado, southern elevated grassy terraces near mountains
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
NM-TX-SD-MT / Chihuahua and Coahuila - Map - SINA Mostly east of the Rocky Mountains, but common in the Rio Grande drainage as well.
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.
Life History
A common species that is most often seen at lights and sitting within spiny plants such as Yucca, Cacti, and Agave.
About Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: the wider group
Order-level background for Orthoptera, the group containing Pediodectes stevensonii. 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 Stevenson's Shieldback (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Stevenson's Shieldback
What is Stevenson's Shieldback?
Stevenson's Shieldback (Pediodectes stevensonii) is a species in the family Tettigoniidae, within the order Orthoptera.
Where is Stevenson's Shieldback found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly found in grassland areas. |
| Range | NM-TX-SD-MT / Chihuahua and Coahuila - Map - SINA Mostly east of the Rocky Mountains, but common in the Rio Grande drainage as well. |
What does Stevenson's Shieldback eat?
The diet of the Stevenson'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 Stevenson's Shieldback active?
Stevenson's Shieldback: seasonal activity - Overwinters as eggs; adults from late spring to frost.
What is the life cycle of a Stevenson's Shieldback?
A common species that is most often seen at lights and sitting within spiny plants such as Yucca, Cacti, and Agave.