Plants and Animals
Atlanticus davisi Davis's shield-bearer
Key Characteristics
The Davis's shield-bearer is a medium-sized brown grasshopper with gray flecks or streaks. Body typically darkens laterally, with the hind femur often having a back mark. A distinct, sharp lateral ridge (carinae) is present on the edges of the large dorsal plate behind the head (pronotum). In males, the exposed part of the tegmina (leathery front wings) are only one-fourth the length of the pronotum. Females have a deep, V-shaped notch in the subgenital plate.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
Global Rank: GNR - Not ranked
State Rank: S2S3 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from imperiled to vulnerable
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
The species can be found on fallen leaves and on low vegetation in dry, open deciduous woodlands, jack pine barrens, and leatherleaf bogs.
Natural Community Types
For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.
Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
Management Recommendations
Complete life history and habitat requirements are unknown. Maintain suitable and occupied forested and semi-open woodland habitat through conservative resource management. Avoid draining and filling of bogs and other wetlands, apply fire management in occupied habitat conservatively.
Active Period
Active from second week of July to second week of September
Survey Methods
Conduct sweep net surveys in suitable habitat in mid-morning or early evening.
Sweep net, auditory
Survey Period: From second week of July to second week of September
Time of Day: Morning (after sunrise)
Time of Day: Evening
References
Survey References
- Martin, J.E.H. 1977. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada (Part 1): Collecting, preparing, and preserving insects, mites, and spiders. Publication 1643. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa.
Technical References
- Bland, R.G. 2003. The Orthoptera of Michigan: Biology, Keys, and Descriptions of Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets. Michigan State University Extension, East Lansing. Extension Bulletin E-2815. 220pp.