Pseudopomala brachyptera
(Scudder, 1862)
short-winged toothpick grasshopper, bunch grass locust, bunchgrass grasshopper
Pseudopomala brachyptera is a slant-faced in the , commonly known as the short-winged toothpick grasshopper or bunch grass . It is most abundant in northeastern Wyoming but occurs wherever taller grasses are present. The overwinters as in the soil, with present from mid-July through August. Despite being a grass feeder, it rarely causes significant rangeland damage due to low and restricted requirements.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pseudopomala brachyptera: /ˌsjuːdoʊpəˈmɑːlə ˌbrækiˈptɪrə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other western by its short-winged condition combined with slant-faced . The Pseudopomala contains few ; P. brachyptera can be separated from congenerics by geographic distribution and length. Within the Gomphocerinae, it differs from longer-winged genera such as Aeropedellus and Amphitornus by its reduced wings. The species is placed in the intermediate hatching group, which aids in distinguishing from early or late hatching species.
Images
Habitat
Areas with taller grasses. In Wyoming, specifically associated with sites supporting taller grass vegetation, including vacant lots with taller grasses along watercourses such as Crow Creek in Cheyenne.
Distribution
North America, with highest abundance in northeastern Wyoming. Documented from Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania. Occurs wherever suitable tall-grass is present within its range.
Seasonality
overwinter in soil. present from mid-July through August. Classified in the intermediate hatching group ( hatch in late spring).
Diet
Grass feeder. Specific not documented in available sources.
Life Cycle
stage: in soil. Development: intermediate hatching group (late spring ). stage: mid-July through August. No evidence of extended or multi-year .
Behavior
Ground-dwelling associated with taller grass vegetation. Specific behavioral observations (basking, , mating displays) not documented in available sources.
Ecological Role
Primary consumer in grassland . Due to low and limited area, does not significantly impact rangeland vegetation except when occurring in conjunction with other more abundant .
Human Relevance
Minor economic concern. Does not typically reach damaging levels. May contribute to forage loss in mixed- but is not a primary target for control efforts. In mortality trials, showed 28% mortality to -treated bran bait, indicating moderate susceptibility to chemical control if needed.
Similar Taxa
- Aeropedellus clavatusBoth are Gomphocerinae in western grasslands, but A. clavatus has fully developed and occurs in the very early hatching group rather than intermediate hatching group.
- Amphitornus coloradusSimilar slant-faced and grassland , but A. coloradus is larger with longer and belongs to the early hatching group.
- Paropomala wyomingensisCongeneric with similar ('wyomingensis' vs. 'brachyptera'), but P. wyomingensis is larger and has fully developed .
More Details
Taxonomic placement
Originally described by Scudder in 1862. Placed in tribe Mermiriini within Gomphocerinae based on morphological characters.
Population ecology
Low and restricted distribution to taller grass limit this ' ecological and economic impact. Not known to form .