Grasshoppers in desert grasslands

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Grasshoppers in desert grasslands
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Weather Direct and Indirect Effects on
Grasshoppers

• Grasshopper population dynamics are determined
  primarily by weather
• However, weather impact varies with latitude

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Weather Direct and Indirect Effects

• Slower development
• More susceptible to diseases and natural
  enemies
• Higher mortality
• Less eggs produced

Less damaging
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Weather Direct and Indirect Effects

• Faster development
• Less susceptible to diseases and natural enemies
• Lower mortality
• More eggs produced

More damaging
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• 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

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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

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Main Grasshopper Species
Pallidwinged grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Cream grasshopper Cibolacris parviceps
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Main Grasshopper Species
Creosotebush grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Arid spurthroated grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Migratory grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Packard grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Spottedwinged grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Clearwinged grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Bigheaded grasshopper
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Main Grasshopper Species
Whitewhiskered grasshopper