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Ashy Spur-throat Grasshopper - Melanoplus cinereus
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General Description
The following is taken from Hebard (1928), Helfer (1971), and Vickery and Kevan (1985). This is a small to medium size species. Its wings (tegmina) are long, exceeding the length of the hind femora. Its color is pale gray, often rusty dorsally with reddish-black on the head and pronotum. The wings (tegmina) are finely speckled with reddish-brown. Outer face of the hind femur has dark bars. The hind tibia is pale blue with pale spines at their bases and black tips. Some publications and websites list this species as the “Gray Sagebrush Grasshopper.”
Phenology
Overwinters in the egg stage. Adults have been found from late July through August, but may persist through September (Vickery and Kevan 1985).
Diagnostic Characteristics
The body length to end of forewings is 23 to 26 mm. Other diagnostics above in “General description” and male genitalia structure.Melanoplus species can be confused with this species without collecting male specimens for genitalia comparisons to make positive identifications (Helfer 1971, Vickery and Kevan 1985).
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Although it ranges from British Columbia and southward to California, this is probably a locally rare and uncommon species. In Montana, it has been reported only in Gray Cliff, MT in Sweet Grass County. “The Montana record is…surprise, as it constitutes one of the very few cases where a northwestern species has been able to extend its range east of the extreme western mountain valleys of the state” (Hebard 1928, Vickery and Kevan 1985).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 1
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Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Inhabits communities dominated by sagebrush and rabbitbrush, and seems to be highly associated with them. “It remains on sagebrush during the day…At night, it climbs to the tops of the plants and remains on the uppermost twigs until warmed by the sun the following day” (Hebard 1928, Vickery and Kevan 1985).
Food Habits
Sagebrush and rabbitbrush are probably this species favored host plants. To date, no food study analyses have been found in the literature.
Reproductive Characteristics
Currently, no detailed reproduction data seems to occur.
Stewardship Responsibility
References
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