Grasshoppers in desert grasslands Weather Direct and Indirect

Grasshoppers in desert grasslands

Weather: Direct and Indirect Effects on Grasshoppers • Grasshopper population dynamics are determined primarily by weather • However, weather impact varies with latitude

Weather: Direct and Indirect Effects • Slower development • More susceptible to diseases and natural enemies • Higher mortality • Less eggs produced Less damaging

Weather: Direct and Indirect Effects • Faster development • Less susceptible to diseases and natural enemies • Lower mortality • More eggs produced More damaging

• In the Northern Great Plains, summer temperatures appear to be critical for successful grasshopper development • Outbreaks in MT and WY usually occur after several consecutive years of drought and above-average summer temperatures • In the desert grasslands of NM and AR the situation is different • Grasshopper populations increase after above-average spring precipitation, followed by hot and dry summer

Favorable conditions for pest grasshoppers in New Mexico desert grasslands • Mild autumn for egg-laying • Cool wet winter for good spring plant growth • Dry warm spring for grasshopper nymphal development

Main Grasshopper Species Pallidwinged grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Cream grasshopper Cibolacris parviceps

Main Grasshopper Species Creosotebush grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Arid spurthroated grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Migratory grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Packard grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Spottedwinged grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Clearwinged grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Bigheaded grasshopper

Main Grasshopper Species Whitewhiskered grasshopper