Leprus wheelerii

(Thomas, 1875)

Wheeler's Blue-winged Grasshopper

Leprus wheelerii is a band-winged grasshopper found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The exhibits a notable wing color dimorphism: most display blue wings, but a yellow-winged morph occurs in Luna County, New Mexico. This feeds primarily on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and is an important component of Chihuahuan Desert , contributing to , soil nutrient cycling, and plant growth stimulation.

Leprus wheelerii by (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Identification

Distinguished from other Leprus by blue or yellow hindwings in . The yellow-winged morph in Luna County, New Mexico differs from typical blue-winged found elsewhere in the range. As a member of the tribe Hippiscini, it shares band-winged grasshopper characteristics with related .

Images

Habitat

Northern Chihuahuan Desert, specifically arid regions with creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) vegetation. Documented from bajada slopes on the north side of mountains at approximately 1400 m elevation in Luna County, New Mexico.

Distribution

Southwestern United States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico) and Mexico. Specifically documented from Luna County, New Mexico at the base of the Florida Mountains in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Seasonality

Emerges annually in spring.

Diet

Feeds primarily on creosote bushes (Larrea tridentata).

Host Associations

Eutrombidium locustarum - microparasite (mite)Parasitic mite found on wings, , neck, and legs; ingests . rate of 41.8% observed in 2023 study.
Wolbachia pipientis - endosymbiontAlpha-proteobacterium; rate of 46.8% observed. Evidence for both vertical and between and .

Life Cycle

in spring; specific developmental stages not detailed in available sources.

Behavior

Yellow-winged morph in Luna County may use wing coloration for (reduced energy absorption compared to dark wings) and homochromy (camouflage with yellow-tan desert soil for avoidance).

Ecological Role

Adds significant to desert . Enriches soil by facilitating breakdown of organic nutrients through cellulose degradation. Stimulates plant growth through combination of acids from crop and with auxin. Serves as component for . Can become agricultural pest when exceed regional .

Human Relevance

Potential agricultural pest when densities are high. Subject of ecological research on - relationships and color .

Similar Taxa

Leprus cyaneusAnother blue-winged Leprus ; L. wheelerii distinguished by distribution and specific wing color morphs.
Leprus robustusCongeneric with overlapping range; morphological differences in body form and wing characteristics.

More Details

Parasite Research

A 2023 study of 79 specimens documented co- patterns with pipientis and Eutrombidium locustarum, with evidence for of Wolbachia between and parasitic mite.

Nomenclature Note

The epithet is sometimes spelled 'wheeleri' in older literature, but 'wheelerii' (Thomas, 1875) is the accepted spelling following standard orthographic conventions for Latinized patronymics.