Members of this genus, formerly know as Rehnia, are formidable predators. The two North America species live in arid areas of the Southwest.
Forewings well developed but shorter than abdomen. Forelegs adapted to seizing prey as evidenced by their being longer than the middle legs and having prominent spines along both lower edges of the femur and tibia. Length 25-52 mm.
Identification of species
The greater arid-land katydid (N. spinosa) is of course larger than the lesser one (N. victoriae): length 34-45 vs. 25-32 mm for males and 44-52 vs 31-37 mm for females. The front edge of the pronotum of N. spinosa is black, whereas that of N. victoria is green.
Remarks
These katydids do not necessarily retreat when molested and will assume a threating pose with bright wings flared, mandibles opened wide, and spiny forelegs raised high. If given the opportunity, they may attack and draw blood--not your average katydid!
References: Cohn 1957, 1965.
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Neobarrettia is a genus of spiny predatory katydids in the family Tettigoniidae.
There are nine described species in Neobarrettia.[1][2][3]
Neobarrettia is a genus of spiny predatory katydids in the family Tettigoniidae.
