BRN 9-3 - Flipbook - Page 23
Obolopteryx brevihastata,
Common Short-wing
Katydid
The genus Obolopteryx (Dichopetala Brunner
von Wattenwyl, 1878 - Obolopteryx Cohn,
Swanson & Fontana, 2014) includes 14
species world wide, seven of which are
found in the United States and Canada.
BugGuide describes the genus as ÒMediumsized, robust, ßightless katydids. Forewings
of females essentially absent (present as
small scales). Males have short forewings
used only in stridulation. Determination of
species requires examining characters
including the male cercus, female subgenital
plate, and ovipositor.Ó
Only one species, Obolopteryx brevihastata,
of this genus is found in New Mexico. This
species is generally found between July and
October (inclusive) in desert and mesquite
grassland habitat. It is ~2.5 cm long, not
counting those long legs and antennae.
The individual shown here was
photographed in Warm Springs Wash,
northeast of Hillsboro, in August 2025.
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