Montana Field Guide

The following is taken from Vickery and Kevan (1985), Pfadt (2002), Capinera et al. (2004), and Scott (2010). A pale to dark brown, medium sized grasshopper with wings that reach or exceed the apex (knee) of the hind femur by 1 to 3 mm. The hind tibia is usually pink or red, sometimes greenish-yellow.

The following comes from Hebard (1928), Vickery and Kevan (1985), Pfadt (2002), and Scott (2010).This species overwinters in the egg stage. Each egg pod contains 21 to 22 eggs. It is an early hatching species, with nymphs appearing in early June that can be delayed by a cold spring. In mountain meadows, the eggs require 2 years to hatch, and some may require 3 years at higher altitudes. Adults appear from early July to early October, reaching peak abundance in August.

Males range in body size from 18-22 mm and females 22-29 mm. The morphological features of the male genitalia and aedeagus are the major diagnostic characters to examine under magnification—10X+ (Vickery and Kevan 1985, Pfadt 2002, Capinera et al. 2004, and Scott 2010).

Can be confused with any number of Melanoplus species. Be sure to collect males for genitalia comparisons to make positive identifications, especially in habitats and geographical areas where “look-a-likes” occur together (Scott 2010).

This species inhabits a wide diversity of habitat types including forested areas, grassy mountain slopes, mountain meadows, prairie/rangelands where shrubs are common, the grass-herb undergrowth of quaking aspen groves, and even Arctic tundra (Hebard 1928, Vickery and Kevan 1985, Pfadt 2002, and Scott 2010).

The following is taken from Vickery and Kevan (1985) and Pfadt (2002). The Bruner's Spur-throat feeds on a great diversity of plants within the numerous habitats it inhabits. It prefers certain forbs, but also feeds on rangeland grasses. Its food-focus varies with seasonal changes and changes with the advance of summer. It seems to never go hungry! Example: One study in the Big Horn Mountains of Montana indicated that this species consumed 68% forbs, 21% grasses, 7% mosses, 3% fungus, and 1% pollen.

No information is available as to where and how females deposit eggs. The nymphs pass through 5 instar stages to adulthood (Vickery and Kevan 1985, Pfadt 2002).

The species is prone to periodic “outbreaks” with high-density populations depleting native host plants, rangeland grasses, alfalfa, and clover (Pfadt 2002).