Derotmema haydenii

Adults distinguished from similar band-winged grasshoppers by combination of: bulbous eyes; pronotum with double-cut median carina and nodulate, rugose disk; hindwing with broad dark band and red or yellow basal patch; tegmina with many fuscous spots. Nymphs identifiable by black nodules and head banding in early instars, plus humpbacked thorax profile. May be confused with other Oedipodinae such as Dissosteira carolina, but D. haydenii has more prominent pronotal nodules and distinct wing banding pattern.

Occupies mixed-grass, shortgrass, desert, and bunchgrass prairies. Strongly associated with disturbed sites having high percentages of bare ground. Frequently found in prairie dog towns, along roadsides, in abandoned agricultural fields, and vacant urban lots. In shrub-grass habitats with abundant bare areas, individuals scatter throughout rather than clumping.

Western North America with wide geographic range. Documented from Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico, and the Big Bend region of Texas. Extends south into northeastern Mexico.

Late-hatching species. Eggs hatch four to five weeks after Aulocara elliotti. Hatching occurs during June in eastern Colorado and eastern Wyoming. Nymphal development requires approximately 40 days. Adults appear from late July through September. One generation annually.

Primarily forbivorous. Laboratory studies show clear preference for dandelion leaves over grasses and many other forbs; fed nearly as well on downy brome. Crop contents from Colorado specimens contained 69% plains bahia, 10% scarlet globemallow, 7% needleleaf sedge, and 6% fringed sagebrush. Observed feeding on common purslane in Montana. Has been observed feeding on dry plant litter and recumbent green leaves from a horizontal ground position.

Egg stage overwinters. Nymphs pass through five instars over approximately 40 days. Adults present late July through September. Females oviposit into bare soil; pods curved, approximately one inch long, containing 16-17 pale yellow eggs each 4.3 mm long. Oviposition takes approximately one hour. One generation per year.

Ground-dwelling species. Nocturnal resting position horizontal on ground surface, either under vegetation canopy or exposed. Morning basking begins approximately one hour after sunrise; individuals orient side perpendicular to sun rays and lower hindleg of exposed side to ground. Normal activities include walking on open ground, femur-tipping, feeding, and mating. Activity ceases when ground temperatures exceed 120°F; individuals seek shade and rest horizontally. May adopt stilt posture to elevate body from hot ground surfaces. Evening basking precedes nighttime positioning. Evasive flights short (2-6 feet distance, 4-10 inches height), beginning and ending on ground; may be straight or include right-angle turns, with smooth or abrupt trajectories.

Minor consumer of prairie forbs. Densities usually low, limiting overall impact on vegetation. Contributes to nutrient cycling through herbivory and as prey for vertebrate predators.

Causes little damage to rangeland forage due to low densities and preference for forbs over grasses. Not considered an economically significant pest. Subject of ecological study regarding grasshopper community dynamics in western prairies.

• Dissosteira carolinaBoth are band-winged grasshoppers with similar size and prairie habitat preferences. D. carolina lacks the prominent pronotal nodules and double-cut median carina of D. haydenii, and has different hindwing coloration.
• Chortophaga viridifasciataOverlaps in subfamily Oedipodinae and some habitat use, but C. viridifasciata has green-striped coloration and different wing pattern, and hatches much earlier in the season.

• grasshopper
• band-winged
• prairie
• forbivore
• late-hatching
• western North America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Grasshoppers of Colorado
• Species Records and Accounts
• List of Species Fact Sheets| Grasshoppers of Wyoming and the West
• Hayden Grasshopper