Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Phaneropteridae Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Orthoptera Subfamily Phaneropterinae | |
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Similar Barbitistes, Metaplastes, Tylopsis lilifolia | ||
Barbitistes obtusus, common name Southern Saw-tailed Bush-cricket, is a species of katydids crickets in family Phaneropteridae subfamily Phaneropterinae.
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Description
Barbitistes obtusus can reach a length of 15–20 millimetres (0.59–0.79 in). It is very similar to Barbitistes serricauda, so that both species are difficult to distinguish from each other. The ground color varies greatly from gray and light brown to olive green and turquoise. Dark individuals are rare. The abdomen is short and thick, while the pronotum and head are quite small. The antennae are about a body length. The legs are of medium length and wear small spines. The sharply formed wings are light brown. Two yellow stripes with red border extend from the eyes on pronotum and tegmina. The head and the legs are reddish. The abdomen has tiny dark spots. The cerci of the male are dark red, clearly S-shaped, with rounded apex. They are the most important distinction between this species and Barbitistes serricauda. Adults can be found from June to August feeding on plants and small invertebrates.
Distribution and Habitat
This species replaces Barbitistes serricauda in the Southern Alps. It is present in France, Italy and Switzerland, from the Basses-Alpes to the Julian Alps and central Apennines, with a small populations in the Apuan Alps. This typical mountain species prefers lightly shaded woods and scrubland up to 2000 meters a.s.l.. It is often found on blackberry leaves.