Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Neduba
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| Species: |
extincta
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Neduba extincta, also known as the Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid, was a type of katydid. It lived only in California, United States. Sadly, this species became extinct before scientists fully discovered it.
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What Did the Antioch Dunes Katydid Look Like?
The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid was a large insect. It belonged to a group called orthopterans. This group includes katydids and long-horned grasshoppers.
Like other orthopterans, it had strong back legs. These legs helped it jump far away from predators. Both its front and back legs had small spines. A special part called the pronotum covered its upper back. This part lifted slightly, making it look like it had a "shield" on its back. Its body was light brown. It also had black spots on its legs and antennae.
How Was This Katydid Discovered?
Scientists do not know exactly when the first specimen of Neduba extincta was found. The species was collected but not fully studied for many years.
In the 1960s, a scientist named Dave Rentz found an example of this katydid. It was in a collection of specimens. He noticed its unique body parts and its large size. Rentz then traveled to the Antioch Sand Dunes in California. This was where the katydid was originally collected. However, he could not find any living ones.
It took several years of research for him to identify the species. He finally named it Neduba extincta. The name "extincta" means "extinct."
Where Did the Antioch Dunes Katydid Live?
The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid lived in Antioch, California. It was found in the Antioch Sand Dunes. These dunes once covered a large area along the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers.
Today, the dunes are much smaller. They are also very disturbed. This area is now under threat of being completely destroyed.
What Did the Antioch Dunes Katydid Eat?
The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid had a varied diet. It ate different things from its environment. Its diet included flowers and leaves. It also ate small insects and fungi.
Why Did This Katydid Become Extinct?
The Antioch Dunes shieldback katydid became extinct because of human activity. When people began to develop California, the katydids lost their habitat. They were pushed into smaller areas like the Antioch Dunes. The species was recorded as extinct in 1996.
The Antioch Dunes were home to about eight different insect species. These species lived only in this special area. Three of these species are now extinct. The other five are on the list of endangered species.
