CR

Kristin's False Shieldback

Acilacris kristinae

Unknown

Overview

Kristin's false shieldback is a tettigoniid orthopteran that is endemic to two localities within Malta Forest in Limpopo, South Africa. It is threatened by deforestation and changes in its microclimate. It is a diurnal insect, and has a daily rhythm. It has a hemimetabolous metamorphosis which results in no pupal stage. It is a predator and feeds on aphids.

Acilacris kristinae faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development within its extremely limited range. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human activities. Mining operations and infrastructure development pose additional pressures on the remaining suitable habitat patches.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered grasshopper species inhabits specialized grassland and shrubland ecosystems in South Africa. It requires specific vegetation communities and microhabitat conditions that are increasingly fragmented and degraded.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Kristin's False Shieldback classified as Critically Endangered?
Kristin's False Shieldback is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Acilacris kristinae faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development within its extremely limited range. The species' restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human activities. Mining operations and infrastructure development pose additional pressures on the remaining suitable habitat patches.
Where does Kristin's False Shieldback live?
Kristin's False Shieldback occurs in South Africa. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Kristin's False Shieldback?
The main threats to Kristin's False Shieldback are 11.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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