Packard grasshopper (Melanoplus packardii)
| Melanoplus packardii Packard grasshopper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Distribution | |
| British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri | |
| Taxonomy | |
| Family: | Acrididae |
| Subfamily: | Melanoplinae |
| Genus: | Melanoplus |
| Additional resources | |
| Full taxonomy at OSF | |
The Packard grasshopper (Melanoplus packardii) is widespread across the central and western United States and much of Canada. It is commonly found in pastures, alfalfa fields, and along roadsides, often co-occurring with Melanoplus bivittatus, Melanoplus sanguinipes, and Camnula pellucida. While not among the most damaging grasshopper species, it is regarded as a moderate agricultural pest due to its feeding on broadleaf crops like alfalfa and pulses.
Nomenclature
Melanoplus packardii (Scudder, 1878). For full information, see this taxon's page on Orthoptera Species File
Identification
is a species of spur-throated grasshoppers, a dominant group in North American grasslands known for their abundance, activity, and diversity. Most North American spur-throated grasshoppers belong to the subfamily Melanoplinae, recognized by a spiny projection on the prosternum between the front legs, roughly where a throat would be. This subfamily includes the migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes), one of the most widespread and well-known species on the continent. Melanoplinae is also the most diverse grasshopper subfamily, with hundreds of species adapted to a wide range of environments—from arctic tundra to tropical forests, and from alpine meadows to deserts.[1]
Most species complete their life cycle in a year, with eggs overwintering in the soil. However, the group shows remarkable variation in habitat use and diet. It includes both flightless species confined to meadows and mountain peaks, and powerful long-distance fliers like M. sanguinipes and the now-extinct Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus).[1]
The Packard grasshopper closely resembles the two-striped grasshopper in adulthood, as both display two stripes along the back. However, the stripes on Packard's grasshopper are more diffuse and often tinged with a salmon or bluish hue. Nymphs of both species can be lime green or brown, but they can be distinguished by the pepper-like black spots on the back of immature M. packardii, whereas young two-striped grasshoppers already show clear stripes. A related but rare species, Striped sand grasshopper (Melanoplus foedus), closely resembles M. packardii and can only be reliably distinguished through microscopic examination of the male genitalia. [1]
Identification details
Packard grasshoppers can be found in shades of bluish-gray and yellowish-brown.[2] The upper half of their body is typically darker than the lower half, with southern specimens generally appearing paler. Males of this species usually measure 27–32 mm in length, while females are slightly larger, ranging from 32–36 mm.[3] Their wings extend about 6 mm beyond the tip of the abdomen and often have several small spots. A key distinguishing feature of these grasshoppers is their pronotum, which features two wide pale stripes running from behind the eyes to the posterior margins of the thorax.[3] [4]
Their hind femurs are usually the same color as their body, gradually fading to a paler shade toward the lower edge. The femur also has a dark stripe on the outer surface that complements the body’s coloration. The hind tibiae are typically red or blue, while the forewings are uniformly gray and lack any stripes.[3]
Melanoplus packardii can be confused with the closely related and similar striped sand grasshopper (M. foedus) and the sandbar grasshopper (M. fluviatilis). In such cases, the male’s aedeagus can be a distinguishing feature, as it extends outward symmetrically, and the cerci are broad and flat at the tip.[2] M. packardii is also slightly smaller and darker than M. foedus. See the bugguide.net page on M. packardii for further discussion.
| Stage | Color | Wings | Body length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | gray and tan with dark markings | 5–6 mm (First instar) | |
| Female adult | tan, brown, yellow | small spots | 32–36 mm |
| Male adult | tan, brown, yellow | small spots | 27–32 mm |
Featured identification resources
All identification resources
| Name | Year published | Resource link | Descriptive keyword | Language | Geographic purview | Author | Year published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Manual of the Grasshoppers of New Mexico | 1993 | Morphology, Biology, Life cycle, Natural history, Natural sciences, Behavior, Population dynamics, New Mexico, Management, estimation of grasshopper densities, insecticide, Biological control, New Mexico grasshoppers, Indigenous knowledge, History, county map distribution, Distribution, glossary, Species identification, annotated alphabetical list of New Mexico grasshoppers | English | New Mexico State University, New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service, D.B. Richman, D.C. Lightfoot, C.A. Sutherland, DJ. Ferguson | 1993 | ||
| ARS grasshopper species fact sheets | 1994 | Management, Species identification | English | Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture | 1994 | ||
| Common Wyoming pest grasshoppers | Life cycle, Species identification, Biodiversity, Grasshoppers | English | University of Wyoming, Scott Schell, Alexandre Latchininsky, B.A. Shambaugh | ||||
| Crickets and grasshoppers in Utah | 1931 | Morphology, Grasshoppers, History, Chemical control, insecticide, Outbreaks, Species identification | English | Utah State University | 1931 | ||
| Field crop and forage pests and their natural enemies in Western Canada | 2018 | Agriculturist guide, Education, Infographic, Management, Species identification, Integrated pest management | English | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | 2018 | ||
| Field Guide to Common Western Grasshoppers | 2002 | Species identification | English | United States Department of Agriculture, Robert E. Pfadt | 2002 | ||
| Field guide to grasshoppers of economic importance in Nevada | glossary, Photos, Species identification, Biology, Life cycle, Behavior, Pesticides, Survey, Integrated pest management, Biological control, Culture, Chemical control, Mechanical control, Economics | English | University of Nevada | ||||
| Field guide to some of the common grasshoppers of the Front Range of Colorado | Agriculture, Behavior, Grasshoppers, Distribution, Species identification, Morphology, Photos, Biology, Overview | English | National Science Foundation | ||||
| Grasshopper investigations on Montana rangelands | 1952 | case study, Species identification, Behavior, Ecology | English | Montana State University, Norman L. Anderson, John C. Wright | 1952 | ||
| Grasshoppers and their control | Species identification, Management, Monitoring, Biological control, Mechanical control, cultural control, Biology | English | Texas A&M University, Carl D. Patrick | ||||
| Grasshoppers of the Western United States | Management, Species identification | English | United States Department of Agriculture | ||||
| Hopper helper | Survey, Life cycle, Species identification, Integrated pest management | English | Wendal Cushing | ||||
| Montana.gov grasshopper field guides | Species identification, Management, Biology | English | |||||
| Orthoptera of Northern Great Plains | 2007 | Information hub, Species identification, Taxonomy, Map, Photos, Nymphs | English | North Dakota State University | 2007 | ||
| Orthoptera Species File | Species identification, Biology | English | Orthoptera Species File Online | ||||
| Pest grasshoppers in Oregon | 2024 | Species identification | English | Oregon Department of Agriculture, Thomas Valente, J. Buck Dunlap | 2024 | ||
| Pest Grasshoppers of the West | 2005 | Management, Species identification | English | University of Wyoming | 2005 | ||
| The grasshoppers and other orthoptera of Arizona | 1942 | Grasshoppers, Agriculture, Taxonomy, Behavior, Biology, Species identification | English | University of Arizona, E. Ball, E. R. Tinkham, Robert Flock, C. T. Vorhies | 1942 | ||
| The grasshoppers of Nebraska | 2009 | Species identification, Map, glossary, grasshopper development, Grasshoppers, Biology, grasshopper anatomy | English | University of Nebraska, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Mathew L. Brust, Wyatt Hoback, Robert J. Wright | 2009 | ||
| The Grasshoppers of the Western U.S. Lucid mobile app | 2016 | Management, Species identification | English | APHIS PPQ Science & Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station), United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology of the USDA, University of Nebraska, Chadron State College | 2016 | ||
| The Grasshoppers of the Western U.S. Lucid mobile app | 2016 | Management, Species identification | English | APHIS PPQ Science & Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station), United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology of the USDA, University of Nebraska, Chadron State College | 2016 |
Distribution
Packard grasshoppers are widely distributed in the western region of North America, throughout the Great Plains west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific States, south to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and North to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.[2] It was also recorded in 51 counties in Montana.[5] This is mainly a rangeland species, inhabiting tallgrass, shortgrass, mixed grass, bunchgrass, and desert prairies.
In the Southern United States, these grasshoppers become less important due to the scarcity of grassy rangelands and their aversion towards them. In the Northern region of the mixed grass prairie, Melanoplus Packardii is an important member of the rangeland community, and is second in density after Melanoplus infantilis. [4] [6] They can also live in mountain meadows at altitudes as high as 9,000 feet, with some exceptions living at 11,000 feet.[4] Since they have long wings, they are strong fliers and can fly a minimum of 10 miles per season.
Biology
Melanoplus packardii females lay their eggs during the winter. These eggs are very resistant to moisture and cold, which prevents them from rotting and helps them survive harsh weather conditions. Bare ground is usually preferred for oviposition, but depending on conditions, they might also go for grain fields or sides of roads. The females lay their eggs in pods, with each pod containing 17-29 eggs, arranged in 2 to 3 columns. [7] [8] These pods are placed 5 cm below the soil surface. This is to protect eggs from environmental threats while making sure the hatched nymphs can easily make their way up to the surface. Eggs are overwintered and if the soil is left undisturbed, they can easily survive through the winter. These eggs are usually cream in color or whitish, with an average length of 4.70mm and an average width of 3.30mm.[9]
Hatching starts when temperatures start to rise, usually in May, through early June. This hatching period might get delayed to July if the spring is cool and dry. After surviving through winter, they emerge from their eggs as nymphs and stay in that stage from June to August.[9] These nymphs are usually dark spotted with pale green or yellowish brown bodies.
| Development across different temperatures [9] | 68°F | 77°F | 80°F | 95°F | 104°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average incubation period for eggs | 29 days | 12.8 days | 8.1 days | 7.7 days | 0.2 days |
| Nymnphal development period of different temperatures | 67.8 day | 47.2 days | 23.7 days | 24.1 days | 27.5 days |
| Percentage of nymphs surviving at different temps | 1.9% | 80% | 89.5% | 85.7% | 68.4% |
Melanoplus packardii nymphs go through 5 instars before undergoing metamorphosis into adults. A grasshopper is identified as an adult when its wings are fully developed. The average lifespan of a nymphal Packard grasshopper is around 50 days.[2]
| Instars | Sizes[6] | Hind femur length[9] | Antennal segments[9] | Body color [2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 4.6 - 5.6mm | 3.38 | 12 | Greenish tan |
| Second | 5.1 - 7.3mm | 4.54 | 16 | Greenish tan |
| Third | 7.9 - 10mm | 5.96 | 19 | Light green |
| Fourth | 14 - 18.7mm | 8.37 | 20 | Light green |
| Fifth | 19 - 25.7mm | 10.16 | 21 | Light green |
They complete their nymphical period in 47 days under 77ºF and 70 days under 70ºF.[9] After going through all 5 instars, Melanoplus Packardii begin their adult phase that lasts from July to September. Once adults, the males start their courting period after 20 days and the female population start their oviposition after 36 days.
Habitat and ecology
Melanoplus packardii prefers light-textured sandy soils with dry conditions which are the ideal conditions for population growth.[10] Light-textured sandy soils are preferred because they tend to warm up more quickly than heavier soils. The heat accelerates the emergence of nymphs and sandy soil makes it easier for the females to lay their eggs. Dry conditions are preferred because they reduce the risk of the eggs getting eaten by pathogens and parasites that thrive in wet conditions. In Alberta, the Packard grasshopper is the second most important species and the third most important in Saskatchewan where this species has managed to occupy 12% of the total grasshopper population.[3]
Just like other grasshoppers, Packard grasshoppers have mandibles and damage plants by chewing out chunks of tissue from leaves and other parts. They first begin from the outside edges, which leads to the irregularly shaped edges around the leaves. Packard grasshoppers readily feed on broadleaf crops like pulses, cereals, and grasses, with a preference for legumes and alfalfa. They consume 30 - 100 m of dry weight per day.[3] Melanoplus packardii primarily feed on twenty-six types of forbs and seven grass species, which include blue grama, sand dropseed, and needle and thread plants in major amounts.[5] The average consumption of forbs equaled 85%.[4] Some of their preferred plants include: alfalfa, western ragweed, lead plant, white sagebrush, sunflower, scurf-pea, winter wheat, barley and fall rye.
Pest status
The Packard grasshopper is an important part of the rangeland ecosystem in the northern region of the mixed grass prairie. At low densities (0.1 to 0.4 per square yard), this species inhabits grasslands in small numbers and causes very little damage in their natural habitat.[4] However, this species has been listed as a potentially destructive agricultural pest.[11] [2] According to a survey conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada, from 1931 to 1966, it was found that M. packardii caused serious damage to cereal crops along with two other species, Melanoplus sanguinipes and Melanoplus bivittatus. In certain years, Packard grasshoppers have reached 50% of the population attacking these crops.[8] The timing of rainfall can substantially lower the survival of eggs and nymphs in a given area. Most years, these grasshoppers do not attain pest status on their own. However, in years when multiple species have successful breeding, they can combine populations and together cause serious damage.
Recent outbreaks
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Associated organizations
| Organization name | Acronym | Website | Type | Focus | Focus keywords | Geographic purview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | AAFC | https://www.agr.gc.ca/ | Government | Funding | ||
| Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation | https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx | Government | Management | Forecasting, Monitoring, Control |
Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedJohnson n.d. - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Vickery VR and Kevan DKM (1985) The grasshopper, crickets, and related insects of Canada and adjacent regions. Biosystematics Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario. Publication Number 1777. 918 pp. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/aac-aafc/agrhist/A42-42-1985-14-eng.pdf
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Schell SP, Latchininsky AV, Shambaugh BA (2005) Common Wyoming Pest Grasshoppers. 2nd Edition B-1161.Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service and Department of Renewable Resources. 76 p.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Government of Alberta (n.d.) Packard's grasshopper. Retrieved March 26, 2024, from https://www.alberta.ca/packards-grasshopper#jumplinks-1
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Montana Field Guide (n.d.) Packard's grasshopper - Melanoplus packardii. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IIORT01450
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hardman JM and Smoliak S (1980) Potential economic impact of rangeland grasshoppers (Acrididae) in southeastern Alberta. Can. Entomol. 112: 277-284.
- ↑ Capinera JL and Sechrist TS (1982) Grasshoppers of Colorado: Identification, Biology, and Management. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University Experiment Station, Bulletin 584S. 161 p.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Pfadt RE (2002) Field Guide to Common Western Grasshoppers, 3rd edition. Laramie, WY: Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin 912, modified by S. Schell and S. Schell for electronic publication. Accessed 19 February 2020. https://www.uwyo.edu/entomology/grasshoppers/field-guide/
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Shotwell RL (1941) Life histories and habits of some grasshoppers of economic importance on the Great Plains (Vol. Technical Bulletin No. 774). USDA.
- ↑ Brooks AR (1958) Acridoidea of Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba (Orthoptera). The Canadian Entomologist (Supplement 9) 90:5-92.
- ↑ Hewitt GB (1985) Review of factors affecting fecundity, oviposition, and egg survival of grasshoppers in North America. USDA ARS-36.
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