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Alinjarria elongata

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Alinjarria elongata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Family: Tettigoniidae
Genus: Alinjarria
Species:
A. elongata
Binomial name
Alinjarria elongata
(Rentz, 1993)

Alinjarria elongata, commonly known as the territory imitator,[1] is a species of bush-cricket from tropical northern Australia.[1] The common name is derived from the fact that the species was at first thought to be a member of the genus Hemisaga until it was realised that its unique characteristics warranted placing it in a new genus.[2]

Description

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This is a large long-legged bush cricket with short wings. It can be distinguished from Alinjarria jadoni, the only other species in the genus, by the elongation of the male's cerci which have a noticeably larger internal flange. The female's cerci are also distinctive because they curve outwards.[1]

Distribution

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This species is found in tropical northwestern Australia, with a range extending from Darwin to Mataranka in the Northern Territory. It is a woodland species, also found in bushes and scrub.[1]

Ecology

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Alinjarria elongata is a predator. It has been observed in the daytime in shrubs, tall vegetation and rough grasses, catching insects. In the night-time it has been seen in sorghum crops, feeding on scarab beetles and on other species of bush cricket.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Rentz, David C. (2010). A Guide to the Katydids of Australia. Csiro Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-643-09554-0.
  2. ^ Rentz, David (31 May 2014). "A tale of two Katydids". BunyipCo. Retrieved 13 November 2018.