Melanoplus bruneri

Distinguished from similar Melanoplus species by: male's large, flat cercus with straight parallel base and upward-curved apex; prominent mesosternal hump (shared with M. sanguinipes); medial area of hind femur almost entirely fuscous; hind tibia usually pink or red; long wings exceeding hind femur apex. Nymphs identified by brown/tan body color (some green females), distinctive hind femur color pattern developing from instar II, and vertical face. Differs from M. borealis in habitat preference—M. bruneri occupies drier uplands while M. borealis prefers wetter, more luxuriant habitats.

Arctic tundra, northern sections of western prairies, herb-grasslands of the Northeast, and mountain meadows of the West. In mountain meadows, occupies drier upland areas with thinner vegetation adjacent to wetter habitats occupied by M. borealis. Frequently inhabits grass-herb undergrowth of quaking aspen groves and adjoining open grassland. Weedy meadows with interspersed bare ground support highest populations.

North America: arctic tundra, northern prairies, northeastern herb-grasslands, and western mountain meadows. Documented in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Saskatchewan.

Early-hatching mountain species. First instar nymphs appear first to second week of June in Montana and Wyoming; cool seasons may delay hatching to late June-early July. Hatching normally spans three weeks, or one week if delayed. Adults appear mid-July to early August. Nymphal period lasts 31-35 days. Both sexes require five instars.

Polyphagous. Prefers forbs but also consumes grasses. Crop analysis from Wyoming mountain meadow: 68% forbs, 21% grasses, 7% moss, 3% fungus, 1% pollen. Preferred forbs include Lupinus sericeus, Arnica sororia, Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), Potentilla spp., Astragalus, and Geranium viscosissimum. Laboratory tests show preference for dandelion over wheat, brome, Kentucky bluegrass, Idaho fescue, alfalfa, and red clover. Feeds on timothy and yarrow when preferred forbs depleted.

• Lupinus sericeus - preferred food plantSilky lupine; preferred by nymphs, often defoliated by adult emergence
• Arnica sororia - food plantTwin arnica; consumed in mountain meadows
• Taraxacum officinale - preferred food plantCommon dandelion; strongly preferred in lab and field
• Agoseris glauca - food plantFalse dandelion; consumed equally with common dandelion
• Potentilla spp. - food plantCinquefoil species
• Astragalus - food plantEarly summer food in Colorado meadows
• Geranium viscosissimum - food plantSticky geranium; late-season food when other plants desiccated
• Phleum pratense - food plantTimothy; consumed when preferred forbs exhausted, causes extensive damage
• Achillea millefolium - food plantCommon yarrow
• Festuca idahoensis - food plantIdaho fescue; high-elevation grass
• Medicago sativa - occasional pest hostAlfalfa; occasional field infestations in Saskatchewan

Egg: laid in pods 1-1.25 inches long, curved at bottom, containing 21-22 tan eggs 3.9-4.2 mm long; deposited in bare soil. Egg diapause: two years required in mountain meadows, some eggs may require three years; one year possible under warm low-altitude conditions. Nymph: five instars, appears early June, develops 31-35 days. Adult: emerges mid-July to early August; survives until hard freeze (observed into October); mates and oviposits in late summer.

Geophilous (ground-dwelling) species. Rests, basks, walks, feeds, and performs other activities on ground surface. Seeks shelter at sunset—observed sheltering under dry cattle dung. Basks one hour after sunrise for 1-3 hours, turning side perpendicular to sun and lowering hindleg to expose abdomen. Second basking period in late afternoon. When midday soil temperatures exceed 119°F, climbs vegetation to shade (observed 12 inches high on shady side of stems). Flushed flight silent, short (3-4 feet), low (6-12 inches); longer dispersal flights 2-10 feet high, 20-100 feet distance, downwind and downslope. Migratory behavior observed leaving depleted habitats after egg deposition begins. Stridulation by males during active periods.

Herbivore in grassland and meadow ecosystems. At low densities, may benefit livestock production by consuming toxic forbs (e.g., lupines). At high densities, shifts to forage grasses and becomes destructive pest. Serves as prey for various vertebrate and invertebrate predators. Contributes to nutrient cycling through herbivory and excretion.

Agricultural pest of rangeland forage. Historical outbreaks documented in British Columbia (1920-1921), Minnesota (1921), Nevada (1936-1938), Montana (1954, 1962, 1964), Utah (1959, 1961, 1963), and Wyoming (1995). Densities reached 15-50 adults per square yard, with exceptional reports exceeding 100 per square yard in Utah. Damage includes defoliation of preferred forbs followed by consumption of timothy, yarrow, and other forage grasses. Occasional pest of alfalfa, seed crops of alsike, timothy, and oats. Controlled historically by poison bait; modern integrated pest management approaches employed.

• Melanoplus borealisCo-occurs in mountain meadows; distinguished by preference for wetter, more luxuriant habitats versus M. bruneri's drier upland preference; M. borealis slightly smaller with different coloration.
• Melanoplus sanguinipesSimilar size and mesosternal hump; M. bruneri larger, with longer wings, pink/red hind tibia (usually), and distinctive male cercus shape.
• Melanoplus alpinusCo-occurring early-hatching mountain species; M. bruneri distinguished by size, wing length, and male genitalia.

• grasshopper
• spur-throated
• mountain meadow
• pest
• polyphagous
• diapause
• North America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Species Records and Accounts
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• List of Species Fact Sheets| Grasshoppers of Wyoming and the West
• Field Guide
• Bruner Spurthroated Grasshopper