Melanoplus borealis

(Fieber, 1853)

Northern Spur-throat Grasshopper, Northern Grasshopper

Melanoplus borealis is a -throated in the , distributed across North America from Alaska to the Great Plains. It inhabits moist, open including swamps, wet bogs, and mountain meadows. The exhibits a late-hatching seasonal cycle, with and hatching in mid-June. It is primarily a forb feeder, though capable of surviving on grasses under laboratory conditions. are typically small even in suitable habitats. In Nebraska, it is recognized as a glacial relict that remained undetected for over a century before its rediscovery in 2007.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melanoplus borealis: //mɛˈlænoʊpləs bɔˈriælɪs//

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Habitat

Moist, open environments including swamps, wet bogs, moist mountain meadows, and lowland wetlands. In Alaska, occupies sunny open fields with short, sparse vegetation allowing sunlight penetration to ground level. Nebraska occur in wetland areas.

Distribution

North America, including Alaska (Fairbanks area), western mountain states, Great Plains (Nebraska, South Dakota Black Hills), and subarctic regions. Documented in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Indiana. Nebraska confirmed in seven counties including Cherry, Lincoln, and Sioux counties.

Seasonality

Late-hatching ; overwinter from September to June. Hatching occurs in mid-June within 10-15 days. develop for approximately 45 days, reaching adulthood in late summer. Sexual maturity attained about 3 weeks after .

Diet

Primarily forb feeder based on mandibular . Capable of developing and reproducing exclusively on Gramineae (grasses) under laboratory conditions. Field observations indicate feeding on forbs with occasional consumption of grasses or .

Life Cycle

Overwinters as in soil from September to June. Eggs hatch in mid-June within 10-15 days. undergo 5 molts, reaching adulthood in approximately 45 days. Sexual maturity attained about 3 weeks after . begins 8-10 days after sexual maturity. One-year in most ; potentially two-year cycle in some mountain populations.

Behavior

activity pattern. typically remain small and localized even within suitable . In Nebraska, persisted as undetected populations for over a century (1900-2007) despite prior historical occurrence.

More Details

Subspecies

Four recognized: M. borealis borealis (Fieber, 1853), M. borealis palaceus Fulton 1930, M. borealis stupefactus (Scudder, 1876), and M. borealis utahensis Scudder 1897.

Conservation Status

In Nebraska, characterized as a glacial relict with fragmented distribution. Historical collections prior to 1900 followed by century-long absence of records suggests potential vulnerability in peripheral .