Damage potential of Hesperotettix viridis (Otheroptera: Acrididae) on a rangeland weed, Gutierrezia sarothrae
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Authors: D. C. Thompson, K. C. McDaniel, L. A. Torell, and D. B. Richman
Date: 1995
Journal: Environmental Entomology
Volume: 24
Number: 5
Pages: 1315-1321
Summary of Methods: A two year (1989-1990) study examined various grasshopper stocking densities on three plant size classes of broom snakeweed plants in caged plots on two sites. The first site was approximately 9 km west of Des Moines, NM and the second site was located approximately 4 km southeast of Lovington, NM. Stocking densities for plant size class were 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 grasshoppers per plant. Vegetative measurements were taken before and after grazing. Utilization was quantified as none, 1-24%, 25-49%, 50-74%, 75-99% and complete defoliation.
Article Summary / Main Points: Results varied across sites and years. Most photosynthetic material was removed from the small plants in 7 days with 16 grasshoppers per plant and approximately 14 days with 8 grasshoppers per plant. Grasshopper density of 2 grasshoppers per plant rarely removed all photosynthetic material. Mortality caused by grasshopper defoliation was 47, 34, 23 and 8% at densities of 16, 8, 4 and 2 grasshoppers per plant respectively. Grasshoppers preferred the newest leaves of the weed and consumed that first, before moving onto other leaves and stem material.
Vegetation Types: Shortgrass Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 70A Canadian River Plains and Valleys 77D Southern High Plains, Southwestern Part
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grasshoppers
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: biological control, grasshopper herbivory, forage consumption, broom snakeweed, plant biomass, plant volume
Annotation: The applicability of this study is limited in the Rocky Mountain States.
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