Section VI: Decision Support Tools (7 of 11)

VI.7 Hopper Helper

By Wendal Cushing

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Physical Characteristics Used To Identify Grasshoppers
Key to Normal Nymphal Instars
Overwintering Species
Early-Hatching Species
Problem Melanoplus Species
Intermediate-Hatching Species
Late-Hatching Species
Selected References

Preface

This reference was developed as a resource for personnel after years of observing them struggle to identify the life stages and species of grasshoppers while in the field. Although many resource tools are available, they often are too technical or too bulky to be used in survey operations.

Data for this reference were based on studies done in the Grasshopper Integrated Pest Management (GHIPM) Project demonstration area in McKenzie County, ND. Pocket Hopper Helper, which fits in a shirt pocket, provides necessary information about grasshoppers that will aid the user in identifying different species found in southwestern North Dakota and on western rangelands.

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Acknowledgments

The production of Pocket Hopper Helper and Hopper Helper has entailed the efforts and expertise of many coworkers. I wish to acknowledge their valued contributions which made this publication possible.

In particular, I wish to thank three employees of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Phoenix Methods Development Center: Nelson Foster, for facilitating the production of this aid to be used in conjunction with factsheets for field identification of common grasshoppers; K. Chris Reuter, who provided assistance with identification characters of immature and adult grasshoppers and review of the manuscript; and Lonnie Black, who prepared final drawings from my originals and representative specimens of individual species.

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Introduction

Hopper Helper provides field personnel with an easy-to-use guide for survey operations. Data gained through direct observation in field operations in southwestern North Dakota provided the basis for this guide. Please observe the following seven additional facts in applying this field guide:

1. The data in the Seasonal Life History Chart (see next chapter) are based on each instar stage, which lasts about 7 days. In other words, it takes about 35 days, from the day it hatches, for the average grasshopper to become an adult. Changing weather conditions can lengthen or shorten this process.

2. When applying the Seasonal Life History Chart to your operation, for every 100 miles south of latitude 47°46°N (Watford City, ND), instar stages will be ahead of schedule by about 7 days (one instar stage).

3. To improve readability, words and symbols used to represent approximate size are defined as:

Small = approximately 11 mm.
Average = approximately 22 mm.
Large = approximately 33 mm.
Robust = approximately 44 mm.

G, M, and F indicate preferred food sources for grasshoppers. A G appearing next to a grasshopper's name indicates the species' preferred food is grass. M stands for mixed food sources (grass and forbs). F stands for forbs.

* = the particular characteristic mentioned is the primary identification characteristic of the grasshopper species.

4. For quick reference, all grasshopper species are numbered 1-44.

5. To make the most effective use of this guide, become familiar with the external morphological structures (physical characteristics) most often used in identification.

6. To make full use of the color description in this outline, use fresh specimens when possible.

7. Have available a copy of Robert Pfadt's Field Guide to Common Western Grasshoppers.

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Selected References

Brooks, A. R. 1958. Acridoidea of southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Orthoptera). Suppl. 9. Canadian Entomologist 90: 1-92.

Capinera, J. L., ed. 1987. Integrated pest management on rangeland, a shortgrass prairie perspective. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Handford. R. H. 1946. The identification of nymphs of the genus Melanoplus of Manitoba and adjacent areas. Scientific Agriculture 26: 147-180 and 12 plates.

Hewitt, G. B.; Barr, W. F. 1967. The banded-wing grasshoppers of Idaho. (Orthoptera: Oedipodinae). Sta. Bull. 72. Moscow, ID: Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station.

Mulkern, G. B.; Pruess, K. P.; Knutson, H.; Hagen, A. F.; Campbell, J. B.; Lanbley, J. D. 1969. Food habits and preferences of grassland grasshoppers of the north central Great Plains. Sta. Bull. 481. Fargo, ND: North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Newton, R. C.; Esselbaugh, C. O.; York, G. T.; Prescott, H. W. 1954. Seasonal development of range grasshoppers as related to control. Bull. E-873. Division of Cereal and Forest Insect Investigations: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. 18 p.

Pfadt, R. E. 1988. Field guide to common western grasshoppers. Sta. Bull. 912. Laramie, WY: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station. 25 p.

Selected References-Unpublished

Cushing, W. J. 1970. Characteristics of the immature stages of North Dakota bandwinged grasshoppers with a key for their identification. M.S. thesis. Fargo, ND: North Dakota State University.

Turley, D. M. 1964. Acridinae nymphs of North Dakota. National Science Foundation final report.

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