Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) community composition and ecological disturbance on southern Idaho rangeland

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Fielding, Dennis J.; Brusven, M. A.

Source:

Environmental Entomology, Entomological Society of America, Volume 22, Issue 1, p.71-81 (1993)

Call Number:

A93FIE01IDUS

URL:

http://ee.oxfordjournals.org/content/22/1/71

Keywords:

Ageneotettix deorum, Amphitornus coloradus, Arphia conspersa, Aulocara elliotti, Hesperotettix viridis, Melanoplus cinereus, Melanoplus foedus, Melanoplus sanguinipes, Oedaleonotus enigma, Psoloessa delicatula, Stenobothrus shastanus, Xanthippus corallipes

Abstract:

Grasshopper assemblages were examined at 30 sites in south-central Idaho, representing various degrees and types of disturbance. These disturbances included heavy livestock grazing, wildfires, plowing, herbicide applications, and seeding of introduced perennial bunchgrasses, mainly crested wheatgrass. These disturbances resulted in the loss of sagebrush and native perennial grasses and have led to the establishment of exotic annual grasses and forbs on several sites. Grasshopper assemblages on sites dominated by annual vegetation were characterized by relatively high densities, low species diversity, and high proportions of species with broad diet breadths. Seedings of introduced perennial grasses were characterized by a high proportion of grass-feeding grasshopper species and high species diversity. Sagebrush–grass sites were characterized by lower grasshopper density and high species diversity. These results, obtained under generally low grasshopper densities, suggest that rehabilitation of annual grasslands with perennial grasses and shrubs, as well as protection of endemic plant communities, can contribute to more diverse grasshopper communities with lower proportions of pest species.