Introduction

This volume deals with the shield-backed katydids, the Tettigoniinae, covering 17 genera and 72 species. The use of tribes has been disregarded until generic classification is made on a worldwide basis. Introductory chapters provide a wealth of information about the zoogeography of the subfamily, and on the habitats and biologies of the insects. Dr Rentz has also used oscillograms of the katydids' calling songs to effectively distinguish similar species. Other sections deal with the terminology, collecting and preservation of specimens.