Grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and plant relationships under different grazing intensities
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Authors: R. H. Miller, and J. A. Onsager
Date: 1991
Journal: Environmental Entomology
Volume: 20
Number: 3
Pages: 807-814
Summary of Methods: Throughout the three cattle (Bos taurus) grazing regimes, no differences in grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) developmental rates were detected. The effects of grazing and drought on plant quality and cover did not have an apparent effect on associated grasshopper development. Phenolic levels were not impacted by grazing and weather changes. Crude protein and water content reduction in grasses during the spring were roughly correlated to grasshopper nymph densities. Grasshopper parameters in this study were not greatly influenced by grazing, weather, or plant chemistry changes.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: bos taurus, phenolic levels, crude protein, water content, developmental rate, plant chemistry
Annotation: Three grazing regimes were used during this study; (1) high intensity, short-duration grazing, (2) low intensity, summer-long grazing, and (3) no grazing. The high intensity grazing area's 260-ha were divided into 8 equal paddocks. The area had been seeded with crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum), but blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) occurred throughout the area. About 260 cow-calf pairs were in the west paddocks from May 13 to May 17 and from June 7 to June 12, and in the east paddocks between June 1 and June 5 and from June 10 to June 11. The low intensity grazing area was 260-ha consisting of crested wheatgrass, alfalfa, blue grama, and needle and thread grass (Stipa comata). About 300 bulls and pairs were introduced on May 28. Cattle density was reduced by two-thirds on June 15, then increased slightly on June 23, and on July 24 to the end of September the herd was reduced to less than 20 head.
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